ALLIANCE, Ohio — Inside Rock Hill Elementary, Alliance Police Officer Roy Tittle is teaching students a unique set of skills and self-worth that they may not get in the classroom.

• Officer Roy Tittle is a patrol officer by day and a martial arts instructor by night
• He teaches Taekwondo and Jiu Jitsu to kids, ages 4 to 18, through the Kick Drugs Out of Alliance program (K.D.O.A.)
• The program started in 1999 to prevent kids from turning to crime, and now it teaches young people respect, discipline and positive decision making

"In the 90s, Alliance was off the hook with drugs and crime, we were actually number five in the nation per capita,” said Tittle, director of K.D.O.A., Alliance Police officer. "We're not even on the charts now."

It's Tittle's mission to keep kids off the streets.

A 26-year veteran of the Alliance police force, he protects and serves —and then, he goes beyond the call of duty.

"I've been in martial arts for 43 years, I've been an instructor since I was 16," said Tittle.

Tittle is the director and senior instructor of K.D.O.A., an after-school martial arts program to kick drugs out of Alliance.

"While the SRT teams and the detectives were working the drugs on the street, we got into the schools and started working from the other end," said Tittle.

Now the program is more than just that.

Tittle is teaching kids respect, discipline and positive decision making.

"I'd say what I like most is about how to be a gentleman, it teaches you life skills and adulthood and the sparring is fun too," said Nicholas Mikes, 16-year-old student.

For Tittle, spending his time here helps him when he changes into his police uniform.

"And that helps me on the streets, as a police officer you see the worst of everything, being a police officer who’s involved in an after-school program with these kids, you see there's an actual future," said Tittle.

Benjamin Thompson was a student of Tittle's when he started with K.D.O.A. Now he's an instructor.

"He is a perfect blend of patience and demanding attention to detail, he is hands-down the best," said Thompson.

The martial arts program is free to students in Alliance and it's open to surrounding counties.

Through fundraising and donations, the program is now in its 20th year.

And with Officer Tittle leading the pact, he's not just making an impact in their lives —they're also leaving a mark on his.

"That's my payment, that's what makes it worth it. The only time I'm gonna be done is after I pass away, so hopefully they keep it going," said Tittle.