The Laramie Police Department (LPD) is hosting the 5th annual Shop with a Cop on December 17th. This cherished tradition is a way for the Laramie Police Department to engage with and support Laramie’s youth. The LPD partners with school counselors, social workers, teachers, and faculty throughout Albany County School Districts to select 30 elementary students for this special holiday experience.

Aimed at spreading holiday cheer and ensuring the holidays are merry and bright for all, Shop with a Cop receives support from the Laramie Police Department Foundation and other community partners. In addition to a $150 shopping spree with the LPD, The Wyoming Hunger Initiative and private donors contribute to the Laramie Police Department Foundation, which then partners with Walmart to provide a Christmas meal for all 30 kids and their families. The Laramie Hilton Garden Inn also donates 30 hams for each Christmas meal.

“Shop With a Cop is such a fun experience. We understand as law enforcement that when we get a call, it’s usually not a good day for anybody – but Shop with a Cop changes the narrative for the day. The kids use their shopping spree money to buy presents for their siblings, family, and of course something special for themselves. It is fun for our officers too; they get to go out and have conversations and laughs with these kids. We genuinely all want to be part of such a positive experience with the kids,” says LPD Sergeant Craig Lenhardt.

The 30 selected kids are paired with 30 officers from LPD, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Laramie Game and Fish Office, and the University of Wyoming Police Department. On December 17th, the officers will pick their designated kid up from school and head to Walmart for the holiday shopping bonanza where they will be greeted by UW Cheerleaders to really hype up the holiday cheer!

“Many people and organizations help make the holidays for these kids extra special. Between the Hilton, School District, Wyoming Hunger Initiative, Laramie Police Department Foundation, and Walmart, this truly becomes a community effort to create a meaningful Christmas for these kids,” says Sergeant Lenhardt.