Continuing in the fashion of previous years, the “Cops N’ Kids” program will continue to provide gifts to children in the community unable to afford presents.
The program originally set out to serve more than 50 families every year, and as it continued, through the gifts from representatives and the general population, the program has served around 75 kids every December.
As for the past 30 years, officers or other employees of the police department would meet with the children at Walmart, then would go shopping. This serves the purpose of ensuring the choice the child makes is both appropriate, and to continue to foster positive relationships with the community.
These objectives are achieved through direct gifts, public commitments, and Hair for the Holidays.
The “Hair for the Holidays” internal event allowed officers the opportunity to forgo shaving for the entire month of December if they donated $100 to the FOP Cops N’ Kids program.
As President Brian Johnson of the Riley County Fraternal Order of Police stated, this had drastically increased the amount of internal contributions that were collected, as well as increasing the publicity of the program and the community’s awareness of it.
“Suddenly seeing officers with beards, when the community was accustomed to having officers without beards, it it sparked conversation for the community as they became more aware of the program,” Johnson said. “And the need that we had, in combination with internal funds being increased and increased community awareness combined to really helping our program become financially self sufficient.”
In early 2020, the Riley County Police Department changed its grooming policy to allow for well-kept facial hair.
As with much else in 2020, there was cause for concern that financial strain and health considerations may prevent the RCPD from being able to adequately meet their commitments. However, Johnson states that previous plans will continue in a contact-less capacity.
“We obviously did not want to be responsible for an outbreak, nor being responsible for causing an infection to a child or a member of the child’s residence. What we settled upon was, those families that were selected, were given a letter reflecting their acceptance, instructions on when to go shopping, and where to take those gifts for RCPD employees to then wrap the presents,” Johnson said. “Then there’s a delivery date, where we basically have a drive thru where the families will come retrieve [these gifts]. There they have an opportunity to see Santa Claus and also have that brief interaction with an RCPD employee to have community relationships continue.”
Going forward Johnson hopes to expand the program due to the sheer manning and financial obstacles of supporting 75 or more children with $125 each worth of gifts.
“We currently support about 75 kids a year, which is about maxing out our ability both financially but also from a staffing level. And to have that personalized experience of every employee, shop with a child and foster that relationship, it takes a lot of people showing up on their days off, and helping out,” Johnson said. “When you have 75 children, and a police force that is only a little over twice that size it’s about sizable staffing commitments. In the future, I hope to expand our financial resources to support more kids, but then also figure out ways that we can sufficiently staff it to have it be the quality, personalized type of program that we’ve had for the past 30 years.”
For those looking to contribute this holiday season and beyond contact the Fraternal Order of Police Foundation, at Post Office Box 362, Manhattan KS 66505 or are reachable at (785) 537-2112 x2486.
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