Shop With A Tacoma Cop is a unique program in which Tacoma Police Officers can make a positive contribution to the community by sharing Christmas with children and families in Tacoma who are in need. Officers and kids spend time one-on-one together in an unforgettable holiday shopping experience. Shop With A Tacoma Cop is sponsored primarily by the Tacoma Police Union Local #6, in cooperation with the Tacoma Police Department, Walmart Store of Tacoma, Dick's Sporting Goods of Tacoma, and others.

History of Shop With A Tacoma Cop

The program began in 1990 with the sponsorship of the Tacoma Police Union Local #6 and the Tacoma Police Department, and is a registered, non-profit corporation. Police Officers volunteer their time and dedicate resources to help Tacoma children and their families.  Since the program is primarily a volunteer effort with few expenses, donations from the community are tax deductible.

Where is Shop With A Tacoma Cop Held?

In 2022, events were held at Dick's Sporting Goods and the Tacoma Walmart. Both stores opened early the day of the event. At Tacoma Walmart, store employees donate their time, and the store donates refreshments, pictures with Santa, wrapping supplies, goody bags and gift certificates. At Tacoma Dick's Sporting Goods, store employees donate their time and the store donates breakfast and gift certificates. Prior to COVID, the Tacoma Target Store at South 23rd and Union Avenue hosted the event.

When is Shop With A Tacoma Cop?

The Walmart event is held on a Saturday in early December, and parents and guardians are notified in advance. Police Officers in uniform pick the children up at their homes, take them shopping, and return them home after the event.  The children are given the donated money at the store and are allowed to spend it as they wish. Officers keep track of the spending and help the children with gift ideas.

The Dick's Sporting Goods event is held on a Wednesday in early December. Wednesdays are Tacoma School District's late start day, so the children do not miss school. Parents drop the children off at the store where they are paired with a uniformed police officer. The children then enjoy breakfast and games and are provided a gift card with funds donated by Dick's Sporting Goods and matched with Shop With a Cop funds. The gifts are then wrapped. 

How are children selected to participate?

Children are recommended for participation in the program by referrals from Tacoma Police Department members and Tacoma School employees. 

For the event hosted at Walmart, the criteria for the children are they must be a resident of Tacoma between the ages of seven and eleven and have a social or economic need, have not participated in the Shop With a Cop program in the past, and are not currently receiving support for Christmas through another charitable program.

For the event hosted at Dick's Sporting Goods, the criteria for the children are they must be a resident of Tacoma attending a Tacoma middle school, have a social or economic need, have not participated in the Shop With A Cop program in the past, and are not currently receiving support for Christmas through another charitable program.

For more information on the Shop With A Tacoma Cop program, or to make a donation, please contact: