PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

Media Request Form: https://slcpd.com/mediarequest/

SLCPD Hosts Annual Police Pay-It-Forward Event

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department hosted its sixth annual back-to-school Police Pay-it-Forward event.

“Making sure our children have the right clothing and school supplies is more than just preparing them for academic success, it’s about nurturing community-based relationships,” said SLCPD Chief Mike Brown. “It is with profound gratitude that we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Salt Lake City Police Department and all the supporters who made this event so successful. The dedication of our officers and professional staff who showed up today is a testament to their professionalism and commitment to our department’s core values.”

The Salt Lake City School District selected 30 students from Rose Park Elementary and North Star Elementary to shop for school supplies and clothing with a Salt Lake City police officer.

After arriving in a school bus, the children participating in the event met with a police officer and had breakfast donated by the Sugarhouse Chick-fil-A.

Before shopping, the children received a backpack filled with school supplies, donated by Essendant.

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 the program is provided by Salt Lake City Police Foundation 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 our professional staff, the 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, Chick-fil-A, and Essendant.

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

1 – A Salt Lake City police officer poses with a student during the 2023 fall Pay-It-Forward event (SLCPD Photo, August 26, 2023).

2 – A Salt Lake City police officer poses with a student during the 2023 fall Pay-It-Forward event (SLCPD Photo, August 26, 2023).

3 – A student tries on a pair of shoes while an officer with the SLCPD watches (SLCPD Photo, August 26, 2023).

4 – A Salt Lake City police officer poses with a student during the 2023 fall Pay-It-Forward event (SLCPD Photo, August 26, 2023).

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