Jace and Kaydon (left and centre) had some fun at the 2023 Shop with a Cop event and were taken around Canadian Tire by Elder Liz Settee. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Christmas shopping extravaganza

P.A. kids go Christmas shopping with police

Dec 20, 2023 | 2:47 PM

Using recommendations from their schools, 25 children got to spend several hours of their school day on Wednesday with members of the Prince Albert Police Service and shop for their families.

Each child was given a budget of $100 and taken around Canadian Tire to help buy gifts for others.

Sergeant Derek Simonson of PAPS community policing initiative said it’s a good chance for the officers to make connections with children.

“It’s an opportunity for a peace officer to connect with those kids and have a great experience. Hopefully bringing a little joy to them and their family over the Christmas season,” he said.

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The Shop with a Cop program works by having local initiatives like Crime Stoppers, the Optimist Club, Northern Bus Lines, Canadian Tire and McDonald’s donate money or deals and help maximize the shopping potential for the children.

“The first gift they want to buy is for themselves, of course they can use some of that money but we try to make sure they take care of everyone in their family,” Simonson said.

Budgeting is key and some children were helped by staff with price checking the items ahead of time to make sure they stay within their budget. Simonson said he sees some officers pay the difference – even when the bill hits $200.

The children are picked up at the five local schools in the Prince Albert Raiders bus and then taken shopping with a stop at McDonalds also on the agenda.

Students and officers competed in Christmas Idol on the bus and got their Christmas spirits ready for shopping.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com