'Shop with a Cop' event creates community connection between teens, Calgary police
Some Calgary teens had a special shopping partner at Marlborough Mall on Wednesday morning; a uniformed Calgary Police Service officer.
Officers were paired with a deserving teen for the 16th annual "Shop with a Cop" event.
"Being able to shop for myself feels really good, but at the same time really weird since I never really shop for myself," said Hilliary Sandoval, a Grade 9 student.
Each teen was given a $100 gift card to the shopping centre as well as a gift bag with goodies, and was treated to lunch in the food court.
The program selected 27 teens to take part as recognition and reward for their academic achievements or community service.
"(This experience is) definitely nice because academically I put a lot of hard work into my studies. Knowing this is a reward for all of that seems pretty nice," said Ruby Imran, also in Grade 9.
Other Grade 9 students agree.
"It feels like my effort is paid off," said Mudjaina Boisevert.
Most of the police participating work in District 4, covering the schools the students attend, yet some officers from other districts volunteered to join the event.
"We do enjoy as police officers coming out and being a part of it," said Const. Chris Langham.
Langham says District 4 officers learned more about the young people in the communities they patrol, while some of the teens say they saw a new side to police officers.
"(They're) joyful, and funny. I thought they were strict, or scary," said Kuot Magiir.
Officials say the program is meant to foster positive relationships between young people and the Calgary Police Service.
"When we talk about community policing, this is what this is. We have police officers that patrol this community that are now getting to talk to students and spend time with students," said Supt. Cliff O'Brien.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
Crypt near Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner could fetch US$400,000 at auction
A one-space mausoleum crypt in the vicinity of Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner will go on auction Saturday, when it is expected to reach between US$200,000 and $400,000.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.