Kelli Cooper (aka Kelli C.) retired as a Police Officer from the New York City Police Department after twenty years of service in 2009. Assigned to the 114th Precinct in Queens for her entire career, Cooper was assigned to the Patrol Unit for her first three years. She went undercover as a prostitute for a short period. Following her passion she joined the Community Policing Unit for four years. She founded the “Spread Hope Not Dope” program and organized several community events which included youth rap sessions, basketball games, and a concert. These events were supported by celebrities Stevie Wonder, Toni Braxton, L.L. Cool J, T-Boz of TLC and the late Phyllis Hyman, to name a few. Cooper was named “Police Officer of The Year” for her outstanding community service and for writing/co-producing “Dear Momma”, an anti-crime public service announcement (visit youtube.com & type kellicgreen to view), in 1996. She served her last thirteen years as a Youth Officer and was an advisor for the Explorers Program.
In 2005, Cooper produced “The Mission Is Possible: Youth Awareness” documentary (visit youtube.com & type kellicgreen to view), which featured four ex-cons and celebrities Patti LaBelle, Susan Sarandon, Wyclef Jean, and others who gave practical advice to teens about making good choices in life. She has toured schools, libraries, and youth centers for over a year showing clips from her documentary as she urged youth to stay in school and stay out of trouble.
She is currently writing a survival guide for teens and young adults. In her book “Five-O: Things You Need To Know”, Cooper shares true life experiences, both personal and professional, through stories combined with good advice to get her message across. Her book will be the first of its kind written by an African American female Police Officer from the NYPD. Now that she is retired, Cooper admits she is ready to tell the truth.
Ms. Cooper holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from St. Francis College, Brooklyn. She has been featured on New York 1 News and was featured in several local New York newspapers.
Born in Harlem, N.Y. and raised in Queens, she rebelled as a youth. From age three to six, her favorite words were, “When I get older I’m gonna shoot you with my gun and stab you with my knife.” She was suspended several times for fighting in junior high school but turned her life around while in high school. Cooper attributes her ongoing success to her devoted mother, a single parent who raised her and her sister. “My mother was and still is my shining star and role model. She never gave up on me,” says Cooper with a smile.
