The Raleigh Police Department hosted its annual event last Saturday at a local Target store. According to the City of Raleigh, the “Shop with a Cop” program pairs officers with children and their families for a supervised shopping experience to help build connections between officers and the community.
Each family received a $200 allowance to purchase holiday gifts, funded by contributions from the Raleigh Police Department Foundation, AC Hotel, CPI Security, and Gunter Family McDonald’s. The initiative provided families with an early start on holiday shopping and allowed children to interact with police officers in a non-traditional setting.
Senior Officer J. Thompson emphasized the value of these interactions, saying, "Shop with a Cop provides an opportunity for officers to engage with children and their families in a relaxed and enjoyable setting," as per the city's release.
