Kids N' Kops

Kids ‘N’ Kops is a nationally recognized program which is organized by the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Canada. It is run in partnership with local police agencies and supported by the Canadian Police Association. The program was initiated in Eastern Canada and has been running successfully in Waterloo Region since 1998.

Kids ‘N’ Kops is usually held in the last week of July. Approximately forty children, between the ages of nine and thirteen participate in the program along with several volunteers from Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Waterloo Regional Police.

The program was geared toward unmatched Little Brothers and Sisters to promote trust and respect between law enforcement and children. This program helps to provide the children with an opportunity to get to know police officers on a more personal level, while instilling confidence and self-esteem for the children who participate. The mornings are spent at the Waterloo Regional Police Headquarters and Children’s Safety Village where the children receive information on the Police Service and how it operates. The afternoons are spent participating in a variety of privately funded recreational activities.

The children participate in team and self-esteem building activities and are given demonstrations and instruction by specialized branches such as the Canine Unit, the Traffic Branch, the Training Branch, the Emergency Response Team or the Forensic Identification Branch. In addition, there can be mock courts or presentations on peer pressure, bullying, drug awareness, role modelling or self-esteem. The recreational activities can include swimming, baseball, fishing at a trout farm, mini-golf, canoeing or trips to the African Lion Safari. On the final day, the children have a formal graduation at Police Headquarters which can be attended by family members, police officers, volunteers from the week and, when available, local dignitaries from our local governments.

This week has been a tremendous success in the past and a wonderful learning experience for the children with the additional benefit of enabling them to feel more comfortable with police.