(CHATHAM-KENT, ON) On Saturday, December 20, 2014, members of the Chatham-Kent OPP and Chatham-Kent Police Service will be joining forces for their first annual ‘Shop with a Cop.’
The purpose of the event is to foster positive relationships between children and officers. Kids between the grades of 2-8 from across the Municipality will be selected by Chatham-Kent Children’s Services to participate. Each child will be given a Walmart gift card to purchase gifts for their immediate family. The children will be assigned their own police officer as their ‘personal shopping assistant’ who will escort them around the store to assist in selecting appropriate gifts for each family member. After shopping, the children will be transported to Lawson Hall where they will enjoy a pancake breakfast and other police-related activities while elves wrap their presents.
The goal of ‘Shop with a Cop’ is to break down the barriers between young people and police, with the intent of developing a better and more trusting relationship.
The gift cards have been purchased through donations from individuals, businesses and organizations.
