WASHINGTON — (CNN) Ya know, despite being home to Six Flags, the Rangers, and the Cowboys, Arlington doesn’t tend to get as much attention as Dallas and Fort Worth.

But on Monday, D/FW’s little sibling got some big love from the federal government. Sam Houston High School hosted a pep rally for the Arlington Police Department, which received an award from the Department Of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office.

The L. Anthony Sutin Civic Imagination Award is the highest award the COPS Office presents, and this year it recognized APD’s Mentoring Arlington Youth (MAY) Program.

The MAY Program pairs local teens with police officer mentors.

“It teaches you manners – how to approach people,” said Otis Walton, a 9th grader in the program. “What’s holding you back from your goals, how to get to your goals, how to achieve them.”

It also gave students a chance to see how policing works, up close and personal.

“They see your perspective, and you see their perspective,” Walton said, describing his ride-along experiences. “And you see what they have to go through on a daily basis.”

The Department of Justice says police across the country should follow APD’s lead. And Dallas PD has gotten plenty of praise lately for setting a good example too.

So, while Arlington may still be the little sibling of the Metroplex, at least it’s part of a family we can all be proud of.