The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Law Enforcement Program and Criminal Justice Club is set to partner with local law enforcement agencies for Shop With A Cop this holiday season.
Shop With A Cop is a nationally recognized program in which regional law enforcement agencies work with schools and other community organizations to identify children in need. Those children are partnered with a volunteer officer or deputy for a breakfast meal together, a ride in a patrol vehicle, and a shopping experience at a local department store. The kids and their officer shop for basic needs that the child may have including shoes, coats, or other clothing. The children also get to select a gift for each person in their immediate family. In many cases, these may be the only gifts the family will get a Christmas.
The Canyon County Shop With A Cop Program has been held for more than 25 years. Participating agencies include the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, Owyhee County Sheriff’s Office, Nampa Police, Parma Police, Wilder/Greenleaf Police, and Homedale Police. Participation by CWI Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice students has become one of the highlight community service events for the students. They help with serving breakfast, assist officers with shopping, and wrap gifts as needed. This year the local Shop With A Cop program will serve an estimated 80 to 100 underprivileged families. Money for the program comes from donations, agency assistance, and often, out of the pockets of the participating officers.
The CWI Law Enforcement Program is currently accepting applications for the January academy session. The program is two semesters long. Students in the program take subjects directly aligned with the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy in preparation to go to work as law enforcement officers. For further information contact Brett Reid at 208-562-2027 or LeRoy Forsman at 208-562-2614.