PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

December 9, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

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

SLCPD Host Police Pay-it-Forward Event

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department hosted its eighth annual Holiday Police Pay-it-Forward event.

“We look forward to this day every year,” said Chief Mike Brown. “This program is a perfect example of how compassionate acts can resonate throughout our community to build a culture of care, trust, and positivity. Even though we had a short time together, these memories will last a lifetime for the kids, our officers, and everyone who participated.”

The Salt Lake City Police Department worked with the Salt Lake City School District, which chose 50 children and paired each student with a police officer to eat breakfast and shop for the upcoming holidays.

Along with the SLCPD, officers from the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Police Department and University of Utah Police Department participated.

The Little America Hotel hosted breakfast for the students and officers.

After breakfast, the children rode in a police car as part of a full police motorcade complete with lights and sirens through downtown.

Children were surprised by Santa, Mrs. Claus, Target team members, and other SLCPD employees before going on a shopping spree.

The children also received a backpack filled with school supplies, provided by Essendant.

In addition to sworn officers, professional staff from the SLCPD’s Records Unit, Police Community Response Team, Crime Lab and Evidence Unit, Community Connection Center, Police Explorer Program, and Office of the Chief participated in today’s event.

The SLCPD 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 collected through donations from the Salt Lake City Police Foundation, SLCPD members, as well as community organizations and businesses.

The Salt Lake City Police Department recognizes the following organizations for their continued support of this holiday event: Salt Lake City Police Foundation, Salt Lake City Police Mutual Aid Association (PMAA), Salt Lake City School District, Target Corporation, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Grand America Hotels & Resorts, and Essendant.

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

A reel with video from today’s event is also available on the department’s Instagram page, @SLCPD.

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police officer drives his police SUV with lights and sirens on to Target on 300 West in Salt Lake City for the department’s annual Police-Pay-it-Forward event (Salt Lake City Police Department Photo, December 09, 2023).

Photo: Two Salt Lake City Police officers and a Salt Lake City Police Explorer shop with two children as part of the department’s annual Police Pay-it-Forward event (Salt Lake City Police Department Photo, December 09, 2023).

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police Explorer, a Salt Lake City police officer, a Salt Lake City Police Community Response Team specialist, and a child pose for a photo (Salt Lake City Police Department Photo, December 09, 2023).

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police officer poses for a photo with a child after shopping for holiday gifts (Salt Lake City Police Department Photo, December 09, 2023).

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police officer and a Salt Lake City Police Explorer pose for a photo in the toy section of Target while shopping during the department’s Police-Pay-it-Forward event (Salt Lake City Police Department Photo, December 09, 2023).

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