Officers make holidays merry during Shop with a Cop

Law enforcement agencies in the Placer County region came together Saturday to brighten the holidays for deserving local children. Flashing lights and law enforcement officers from the Placer County Sheriff's Office, Roseville Police Department, Rocklin Police Department, Lincoln Police Department and Auburn Police Department filled the parking lot at Target on Fairway Drive in Roseville for the annual event. The Shop with a Cop program rewards kids ages 5-18 with the opportunity to purchase clothing and other necessities while shopping with a police officer. Roseville Police Department employees founded the organization in 2011. The program has grown to include neighboring law enforcement agencies who each get a chance to pick out deserving children from their community. "Our mission is to brighten the holidays for these deserving kids from our community by pairing them with dedicated officers and non-sworn staff to create a delightful holiday shopping experience," Rocklin Police Department stated on social media. "Shop with a Cop isn't just about the gifts, it's about creating lasting memories, promoting a sense of belonging and spreading the true spirit of the season." The shopping trips are funded by donations from community members and law enforcement agency support groups throughout Placer County. "This tends to be a favorite event as we inherently want to make a difference in the lives of those we serve," said Sgt. Bryan Morrison of the Auburn Police Department. "Couple that with the magic of Christmas and I think we have the perfect opportunity to leave lasting impressions with kids of all ages."