On December 11, 2021, 19 officers with the Lake Havasu City Police Department, alongside 27 volunteers, welcomed 21 children for their annual Shop with a Cop program to spread cheer this holiday season.

The event started at 8:30 a.m. when children arrived and met with officers to eat breakfast and get a closer look at the police vehicles and equipment officers use on a daily basis. The officers, volunteers, and children then arrived at Walmart to begin the shopping experience, where they were met by cheerful employees, including a special appearance from Santa Clause himself. Following the shopping, officers and volunteers helped the children wrap their gifts in a holiday-themed environment, and concluded the day with lunch.

The Lake Havasu Police Department’s Shop with a Cop program was created in 2015 and continues to show tremendous success each year. The program establishes goodwill between local law enforcement agencies and families experiencing hardships. This program provides selected children, which are referred by the Lake Havasu Unified School District, the opportunity to shop with an officer for Christmas gifts. This year, the police department also included Mile Markers in the program, and it was a fantastic experience had by all.

The Shop with a Cop program is intended to boost the children’s morale and build their self-esteem while allowing each participant to see officers in a non-intimidating setting. Likewise, the program fosters decision-making practices and cost-effective purchasing.

Most of all, it provides an opportunity for the participants to experience the gift of giving. Children not only shop for themselves, but they also purchase gifts for their loved ones.

The Shop with a Cop program is entirely funded through donations, and the Lake Havasu City Police Department would like to thank the following organizations who donated to this worthy cause:

• Walmart
• Rotary
• The Shops
• Minor Details Hair Salon
• Smith’s Grocery
• Bashas Grocery
• Mudshark Brewery and Public House
• Soroptimist International of Lake Havasu

Public Information Officer:  Detective Chris Angus