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SLCPD Hosts Police Pay-It-Forward Holiday Event, 52 SLC School Kids Go Shopping with Officers

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) hosted its annual Police Pay-It-Forward event, which paired 52 students enrolled in the Salt Lake City School District with a SLCPD officer to go holiday shopping.

“This event is one of our largest and most meaningful community outreach efforts,” said Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown. “It’s always incredible to see the connection between our officers and the children. These are the moments we look forward to all year. Spending this time with our city’s youth creates lasting memories in ways we can’t always measure. The children’s energy and excitement are infectious, and I know our officers are so proud to give back and demonstrate their commitment to our community—one of our core values.”

The Salt Lake City School District selected 50 students to shop for holiday gifts with a Salt Lake City police officer. Two other students were selected from staff with the SLCPD’s Promising Youth Program.

The event started at The Little America Hotel in downtown where event organizers paired students and officers together. The officers and students had a full breakfast buffet and got to meet several princesses.

After breakfast, the students all loaded up into their officers’ patrol car and the department hosted a nine-mile motorcade complete with lights and sirens to the Walmart Supercenter on East Parleys Way.

At Walmart, students went shopping and then had their gifts wrapped by SLCPD professional staff and other volunteers. Students and officers also had the chance to have a photo taken with Santa. SLCPD staff printed off the photos for the students.

Children also received a backpack filled with gifts, from Essendant and a blanket by Project Linus.

The SLCPD’s Police Pay-it-Forward program provides school-aged children with the opportunity to partner with a police officer to shop for school supplies in August and holiday gifts in December.

Funding for this program is provided by the Salt Lake City Police Foundation, community members, and community organizations and businesses.

In many circumstances, officers often pay out-of-pocket to cover any additional expenses.

The Salt Lake City Police Department thanks its sworn members, professional staff, SLCPD Police Explorer Post #2471, and the following organizations for their continued support of this event: the Salt Lake City Police Foundation, Salt Lake City Police Mutual Aid Association (PMAA), Salt Lake City School District, Walmart Inc., the Little America Hotel, the Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Essendant, and Project Linus.

Four photos from the event are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Media may also download b-roll from this year’s event by clicking here. Media may use this video with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police officer goes holiday shopping with a student as part of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Police Pay-It-Forward event (SLCPD photo – December 14, 2024).

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police officer goes holiday shopping with a student as part of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Police Pay-It-Forward event (SLCPD photo – December 14, 2024).

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police officer goes holiday shopping with a student as part of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Police Pay-It-Forward event (SLCPD photo – December 14, 2024).

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police officer goes holiday shopping with a student as part of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Police Pay-It-Forward event (SLCPD photo – December 14, 2024).

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