December 14, 2016 at 2:54 p.m.
Shop with a Cop program builds bond between kids, officers
Shop with a Cop program builds bond between kids, officers
By Kayla Thomason-
Seventeen third-graders participated in the eighth annual Shop with a Cop event, which pairs students with local officials for a morning of shopping.
"We work with the school district and the third grade teachers, guidance counselors, principals at all the schools within the Rhinelander school district - public and private - they choose the kids," said Chad Brown, patrol officer and the director of the local program.
Students are typically selected based on financial circumstances, but the RPD has expanded the criteria to include those who have improved their behavior.
"It's more of a really good behavior, maybe kids have been having behavioral issues at school or just haven't been doing what they were supposed to at school and they've turned themselves around and have a wonderful year," he explained. "This is a really good way to reward them."
The day started with breakfast with members of the Rhinelander police and fire departments at Burger King, then the group went to Walmart where each child had $100 to spend on themselves and loved ones for the holidays. They even got to go to the Rhinelander Fire Department to get their gifts wrapped.
"We take them out and we help them pick out presents, we encourage them to pick out some presents for their family but the main goal is them," Brown said. "We want them to pick out a really good present that they really want, something that they can buy for themselves."
Cerenity Mikkelson ate French toast sticks and bacon for breakfast while she talked with the officers.
Cerenity didn't know what she wanted to get for herself with the money and was planning on using most of it on her family.
"So far, (it's) nice," added Abbigail Eggett. "This is my first ever time doing it."
She and the officers talked about school and who they plan to give presents to.
Eggett said she wanted to get herself an air hockey tabletop game and had several ideas for gifts for her relatives.
Patrol sergeant Kurt Helke has participated in Shop with a Cop every year and considers it a highlight of the season.
His favorite part of the program is "just the experience and getting in the Christmas spirit by seeing the magic in the children's eyes, get to go on a $100 shopping spree, I mean what's not exciting about that?"
He knows that this event has a lasting impact on the children, and it is something they don't forget.
"It's something that these kids remember for the rest of their lives," Helke said. "I'll see some of the kids a couple years down the road and they run up to me and they remember this day."
Shop with a Cop is a positive experience for both the officers and the children.
"It's definitely a positive thing for the community, it's a positive thing for the police department and relations with certain community members," Helke said, adding that he plans his schedule so he can participate.
"I think it's very important," he said. "This is something that I am incredibly supportive of every year. That's why I try to make sure I schedule to have the time to be able to do this because it's just a couple hours out of our day and the amount of impact that it has is immense."
Brown brought the nationwide program to the RPD eight years ago.
His former department participated and when he came to the Rhinelander Police Department he brought the idea to the attention of former Chief of Police Mike Steffes. Steffes liked the idea and gave it the OK.
Brown's favorite part about the program is that it shows children that officers aren't scary and are no different than them.
"The fact that the kids get to know us as people, not as a stigma of being a robot or just kind of a scary figure in the community, that they actually get to see that we are trustworthy people (is an enormous benefit)," he said. "They can come to us if they have an emergency or problem and they can feel comfortable talking to us."
This program is run on community donations.
"We wouldn't be able to do this if it wasn't for the community and this year we've had unbelievable support so we're actually well on our way for a good year next year," Brown said.
He also thanked Burger King for the support. The first few years the fire and police departments made breakfast at the fire department, then Burger King approached them, wanting to donate the breakfast.
"We also want to thank Burger King too because they donated all the food for everybody and all the helpers, anybody who's here helping with the program," Brown said.
Those who would like to make donations for the 2017 Shop with a Cop may do so by dropping off or mailing a check to the Rhinelander Police Department at 201 N. Brown St., Rhinelander, WI, 54501, attn: Chad Brown.
Make checks payable to the Rhinelander Professional Police Association.
Kayla Breese may be reached at kayla@ rivernewsonline.com.
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