Cooking with cops. And their moms (11 photos, video)

Police officers don't often have the opportunity to bring their parents to work, but when the mission of the day is making homemade pasta sauce, Cst. Emily Coccimiglio and Cst. Michelle Johnson knew exactly who to call for back up. 

Coccimiglio with her mother Pina, and Johnson with her mother Santina LaPietra, were recently at the Boston Community Hub to show residents how to make homemade pasta sauce.

Both Coccimiglio and Johnson told SooToday their mothers love to cook and are both excellent cooks. And although their mothers taught them how to make sauce, "it never tastes the same."

"My mom was always in the kitchen, she still is; I actually pulled her out of the kitchen to come here," said Coccimiglio. 

"Anyone that has a mother who is Italian you know you've eaten well from the time you were a toddler, and still I'm at that age where I should be taking care of my own meals, but it's nothing like calling up Nonna."

Residents at the Hub were treated to two sauce recipes - one that takes a few hours and one that can be completed by the time your pasta is boiled. 

"My kids love pasta so this is great information," said Boston Ave resident and Hub volunteer Danielle Couture. "Pasta will feed a lot of people so this is good for big families for sure."

Couture says the food at the Hub is always a big hit. "A lot of people like to come in and learn."

"I normally just go to the store and by my cans and throw it all together, but this was really fast and easy," said Boston Avenue resident Amanda Campbell. "My son loves pasta, if he could live off it, he would."

Coccimiglio says they are always trying to come up with new initiatives and programs for the Hub, and it was the residents who asked if the officers could teach them how to make pasta sauce. "It's a great initiative. It's fast, healthy, not out of a can," she said. "We're hoping we can continue with this, bring other food items to the table."

They hope to come up with a new menu item once a month they could teach the residents to cook. "We're trying to keep it inexpensive and healthy but I know a lot of parents are busy so it's about the time as well."

The Boston Hub is one of four community hubs across the city, all operated in partnership with Social Services. Constable Sonny Spina says the hubs are a great way for police to engage with people in these areas and allows them to create positive interactions and connections.

"Our officers are clear leaders in this community and we want to lead by example," he said. "What better example is there than our own families. We want to show people we are part of this community, we live here, we're with you and we want to tackle problems together."

"Everybody knows you by first name and everybody is comfortable to come and talk to you," he said. "We want to generate that relationship where people are comfortable to talk to us."

Couture agrees saying it shows the neighbourhood they can trust the police. "It teaches my kids there is no reason to be afraid of them, and to do good things," she said. 

The day wrapped up with everyone enjoying a taste of the pasta meal, and taking a little home.

"I come from an Italian family and I know that cooking in an Italian kitchen is far less about the food and more about your family and the time you spend together," said Spina.