Pensacola Police Officers Bring Holiday Cheer With Shop With a Cop Program

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- The Pensacola Police Department spread holiday cheer Thursday morning as officers took children shopping at Target on Bayou Boulevard as part of the annual Shop with a Cop program.

"At 10 a.m. at Target on Bayou Boulevard, we have several officers with some children up there," said PPD Mike Wood. "They're shopping with officers and we're putting some smiles on some faces today."

For officers who see tragedy daily in their work, the program offers meaningful relief. "The officers just day in and day out see horrible things and see tragedy every day," the spokesperson said. "And when we're able to do something like this with kids around Christmas, it puts a smile on their faces and the officers, too. It's something that we look forward to doing each year."

The Escambia County Sheriff's Office also participates in the program, now in its 16th year and serving well over a thousand children.

The program demonstrates law enforcement's commitment to the community beyond emergency response, building positive connections and supporting families during the holidays.