Boston's boys and girls in blue are stepping into the ring, trading cuffs for gloves to teach local students the sweet science of boxing. The Boston Police Department's School Engagement Unit has recently wrapped up a series of boxing classes for pupils from the Tynan School and the Neighborhood House Charter School, according to the Boston Police Department website.

Under the tutelage of Detective Bill Traft, a man who has danced the boxer's dance both as an amateur and as a pro, the students enjoyed a non-contact version of the sport aimed at sharpening their techniques and boosting their fitness levels over the past two weeks, as reported by the Boston Police Department on their website.

"The students had a fantastic time learning the ropes," the Boston Police Department said. This innovative program is part of a broader strategy by the BPD to engage with the youth in a positive manner, encouraging physical activity and discipline. Utilizing sport as a vehicle for connection and education, the initiative appears to be a knockout success in the eyes of participants and organizers alike.

Aside from footwork and jabs, the classes infused vital life lessons such as respect, self-control, and perseverance; the detective's past in the ring lent an authenticity to his mentorship that students could not only recognize but felt drawn to. While Detective Traft might be more accustomed to the chase, his pivot to pass on the noble art of boxing to eager young learners marked yet another collaborative effort between the community and law enforcement to foster constructive outlets for energy and ambition, as mentioned on the Boston Police Department's official website.