Our sensitive police force?

Maybe this is why Portland is such a safe town: our police officers are comfortable tapping into their creative side. On Wednesday, the Portland Police Department will release its 2009 calendar filled with "poetry and photography...produced by police officers, detectives, local poets and photographers and tells the story of life and work within the Portland Police Department. The project was conceived to address two challenges faced by the department -- improve the relationship of the Police Department with the public and improve departmental morale through the creation of art."

Proceeds from calendar sales (they'll be available at bookstores for $15) will go toward the Johnsey Fund, in memory of Sgt. Rob Johnsey, a Portland police officer who died this year after accidentally discharging his weapon. The project was originally made possible by the Arts and Equity Initiative, a national program launched in Portland that aims to connect the arts with municipal governmen.