Shop with a Cop brings joy to St Catherine and beyond

The Shop with a Cop Initiative once again brought smiles, hope, and meaningful connections to dozens of children and families as officers from the St Catherine South Police Division partnered with community stakeholders to host the 2025 edition of the event.

Founded by Territorial Officer for the St Catherine South Police Division Deputy Superintendent of Police Paulette Baker, Shop With A Cop pairs children with police officers for a supervised and mentored shopping experience.

Baker noted that the programme allows participants to select clothing, school supplies, toys, and other essentials while fostering trust and positive interaction between youth and law enforcement.

The initiative is designed to support “children who are victims of crime, those who have experienced trauma, children who have shown improvement in academics and behaviour, and those who are less fortunate — including, of course, children of our police officers”, she explained

Against this background and following the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, Baker said the Shop With A Cop initiative was expanded this year beyond St Catherine South, adding that the programme continued its mission by targeting 50 children.

Youngsters, ranging in age from five to 16, included several who had been affected by Hurricane Melissa in western parishes.

Each child received $10,000 in vouchers or cash, made possible through the support of police officers, sponsors, and community partners, to purchase essential items during the shopping exercise, adding that many of these children are now attending schools.

Impactful Initiative

Baker described the outreach as “an act of solidarity” that extends “a powerful message of care and hope”.

The senior officer assures that follow-up support will be provided where necessary.

“We will reach out to them even after the end of the initiative … to ensure that they are taken care of,” she added.

Meanwhile, Baker highlights the steady growth of the initiative since its inception.

“In 2022, eight children from the Youth Lift Behavioural Issues in School Programme were taken shopping while others received packages. In 2023, the number rose to 48,” she noted.

Baker pointed out that the programme was further expanded in 2024 through strong institutional support.

She also emphasised the broader philosophy behind the programme, noting that together these initiatives remind the public that policing is not only about enforcement but also about compassion, care, and community.

Meanwhile, parents have welcomed the initiative, describing it as both timely and impactful.

Rosealee Miller said she was excited and very grateful for the initiative and expressed thanks while encouraging the organisers to continue their work.

Another parent, Dionne Williams, said Shop With A Cop creates positive exposure for children, adding that she believed that “it is a good idea because it opens their eyes to new experiences and encourages them to explore”.

Williams acknowledged that the initiative strengthens police/community relations, noting that it allows residents to interact with officers and to get to know them better.

St Catherine resident Natalie Lindsay, whose granddaughter, Mikayla Ledgister, was affected by the hurricane, says the initiative was especially meaningful given the circumstances surrounding her family’s displacement.

Following the hurricane’s passage, she arranged for her granddaughter to leave St Elizabeth and stay with her as the disaster’s impact created uncertainty and hardship for the family.

Timely Relief

She said the transition was challenging, particularly for her young granddaughter as she adjusted to a new environment so close to the Christmas season.

Lindsay pointed out that the Shop With A Cop initiative provided timely relief, enabling Ledgister to receive essential items while also enjoying a positive and uplifting experience alongside other children.

She also disclosed that the interaction with police officers helped to ease her granddaughter’s anxiety and restored a sense of normalcy after the disruption caused by the hurricane.

Since relocating from St Elizabeth, efforts were also made to have Ledgister enrolled in a school in St Catherine, describing the adjustment process as challenging but necessary to ensure continuity in her education.

Superintendent of Police Throyville Haughton, attached to the St Catherine South Police Division, said the initiative represents meaningful community engagement.

“I think it’s really remarkable that we have reached out in this way to engage the community, especially the younger ones. We want them to also consider the [Jamaica Constabulary Force] force as a viable option when they get older, because this kind of interaction would have encouraged them in some way or the other,” he said.

Meanwhile, Baker’s daughter, Vanessa Darlington, who travelled from New York to support the initiative, shared that seeing the smiles on the faces of the children and parents at Christmas time warmed her heart.