CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Officer Greg Granderson with the Clarksville Police Department (CPD) is using his talents to create a comic book series using real-life heroes.
CPD spokesman Jim Knoll said Granderson has used his lifelong passion for superhero comic books as inspiration to author the first issue of a three-part comic book series to complement teaching the Gang Resistance and Education Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program in elementary schools.
The series of TEAM G.R.E.A.T. comic books seeks to reach youth in an entertaining and compelling way, while addressing the lessons of the G.R.E.A.T program such as making good decisions, controlling anger, respect, etc.
The development of the TEAM G.R.E.A.T. came to fruition through Granderson’s personal motivation. He sought input and feedback from other G.R.E.A.T. professionals, but the design and development of the TEAM G.R.E.A.T. story and characters was his own.
Aside from development of the comic books, Granderson has come up with his own special way to promote the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum. He incorporates what are called “Feats of Encouraging Power and Strength” in which he rips decks of cards, phone books, and license plates in half and bends steel bars with his teeth. His motto is “Unhealthy Choices Make Us Weak, Healthy Choices Make Us Strong”. Granderson has found his own unique niche with teaching the G.R.E.A.T program and provides a positive role model for students to emulate.
The TEAM G.R.E.A.T comic book is digital and can be downloaded for free.
Officer Greg Granderson has been with the Clarksville Police Department for 11 years. He has been a G.R.E.A.T instructor since 2012 and is assigned to the Clarksville Police Dept.’s Community Relations Unit. He is an ordained minister with a Masters of Divinity Degree and is a Chaplain with the U.S. Army, Kentucky National Guard. He is married and has two children.