African American Community Advisory Council
About the Council
The African American Community Advisory Council to the Seattle Police Department (SPD) was created in mid-1996, and is one of ten councils that work collaboratively with the police. The demographic advisory councils were born out of a need to hear directly from communities that often feel disenfranchised, alienated, or as though they do not have the same access as the majority population does to the police department.
Our Areas of Focus
- Advise the SPD about crime prevention, public safety, and law enforcement concerns of the African American community through open and respectful dialogue.
- Promote and encourage cultural competency training for officers while expanding the community's understanding of the practices and policies of the police department.
- Support and encourage African American youth and the SPD to develop a healthy and successful relationship.
- Promote and encourage community participation in the Advisory Council, events and workshops that promote public safety.
- Foster goodwill and trust between the African American community and the Seattle Police Department.
- Encourage police recruitment in the African American community.
Council Liaison
Detective Denise “Cookie” Bouldin who is affectionately known throughout Seattle as Detective “Cookie”, which I understand is a nick name her parents gave her as a young child because of her love to eat Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. Before joining the Seattle Police Department, Detective Cookie was a Professional Model who has modeled all over and appeared in various magazines such as Ebony, Essence, and Glamour to name a few. She also appeared in JET Magazine as one of their swimsuit models. Detective Cookie was also one of the dancers on Soul Train. When she visited Seattle, she loved the city and decided to move from Chicago to Seattle.
Detective “Cookie” is a 44-year veteran of the Seattle Police Department and currently works on the Community Outreach/School Emphasis Team. Detective Cookie is the Youth Specialist. Detective Cookie was the first female officer on the Seattle Police Marching Drill Team. Detective. She is also the liaison Detective to the African American Community Advisory Council. Detective Cookie works closely with the youth and citizens of Seattle, especially in the Urban Community that she is assigned to. Because of the increase of youth hanging out on the streets Detective Cookie decided to plan another basketball game for year 2006, where the youth in the community would play a game of basketball against Seattle Police Officers. But the youth this time stated they wanted to do something other than basketball. When asked for suggestions the young teens stated they wanted to play chess. Detective Cookie held a chess tournament for these youngsters at John Little Park. It was successful but only the few kids who knew how to play chess participated and the other kids were left with the option to only watch. Detective Cookie never forgot the kids who only stood by and watched a few others play the game of chess because they didn’t know the game.
The creation of the “Detective Cookie’s Urban Youth Chess Club stemmed from her many opportunities to speak with youth in the community while observing their needs, as well as the needs of their families. They made it apparent to her that they desired something other than just basketball…they requested chess. After several months of preparation, Detective Cookie was finally able to conceive what is now known as the “Detective Cookie’s Urban Youth Chess Club”. Currently the ages range from 7 years of age to adulthood. Detective Cookie would meet the youth each Saturday, her day off work, at the Rainier Beach Library and the Rainier Beach Community Center. Some Saturdays as many as 75 youngsters have come to the Library or Community Center to learn how to play or better their chess game. Detective Cookie was overwhelmed with the positive response from the youngsters.
Detective Cookie’s current chess schedule is Tuesdays 3-5pm after school at the Rainier Beach Library; Wednesdays, after school, at the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club; Saturdays 12noon-2pm at the Rainier Beach Community Center. Throughout the week, Detective Cookie would be in the schools weekly, teaching over 270 students Anti-Violence/Chess as well as the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum, (Gang Resistance Education and Training). Detective Cookie’s Chess Club members are also successfully participating in On-Line Chess Tournaments.
Denise "Cookie" Bouldin
Detective - African American Liaison Officer
denise.bouldin@seattle.gov