D.C. police turn into holiday helpers for local children

Officer Myra Jordan talks to children during the 鈥淪hop with a Cop!鈥� event, using American Sign Language. The little boy pictured here wrapped his arms around Jordan鈥檚 legs, giving her a long hug. He said he did it to say, 鈥淭hank you, thank you.鈥� (海角精品黑料/Kristi King)

Officer Carmichael Humble advised Sean 鈥� who was interested in 鈥渆verything 鈥楽tar Wars,鈥欌€� to stay away from big ticket items so he鈥檒l have a lot of presents to open on Christmas.

"We want him to have a good time, but we want him to be wise utilizing his money," Humble explained.

(海角精品黑料/Kristi King) — Officer Carmichael Humble advised Sean 鈥� who was interested in 鈥渆verything 鈥楽tar Wars,鈥欌€� to stay away from big ticket items so he鈥檒l have a lot of presents to open on Christmas. “We want him to have a good time, but we want him to be wise utilizing his money,” Humble explained. (海角精品黑料/Kristi King)

Santa pictures b4 Deniyla sz it was fun taking a picture w Santa
— Kristi King (@king海角精品黑料)

Before the shopping event kicked off, participants gathered at Faith Moravian Church in Northeast D.C. Kids even had a chance to meet with Santa! (海角精品黑料/Kristi King)

The excitement is building for at Faith Moravian Ch in NE
— Kristi King (@king海角精品黑料)

(海角精品黑料/Kristi King)

MPD Foundation sponsors ExecDir Persichini loves the smiles on cops/kids faces
— Kristi King (@king海角精品黑料)

(海角精品黑料/Kristi King)

Darnell Prince Holmes sz: "I love this whole world"
— Kristi King (@king海角精品黑料)

(海角精品黑料/Kristi King)

Smith Family
— Kristi King (@king海角精品黑料)

(海角精品黑料/Kristi King)

D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier and Shaniah loved an animated monkey toy. During their spree, Lanier advised Shaniah to prioritize her purchases to make the best use of the $100. Her first selection was a leopard print coat for her little sister. (海角精品黑料/Kristi King)

Aniyah and Offcr Casey
— Kristi King (@king海角精品黑料)

(海角精品黑料/Kristi King)

Offc Jones, Katharine, Destiny examine MULT Barbie options
— Kristi King (@king海角精品黑料)

(海角精品黑料/Kristi King)

Mikal and Malik say they can't get Play-Doh b/c Mom says it makes a mess
— Kristi King (@king海角精品黑料)

(海角精品黑料/Kristi King)

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WASHINGTON 鈥斅燗bout 100 children and their聽Metropolitan Police Department helpers had $100 to spend on holiday gifts聽in the “Shop with a Cop!鈥� event Thursday at Walmart鈥檚 Fort Totten store in Northeast.

A spontaneous and unexpected聽hug聽from a聽child caused D.C. Police Officer Myra Jordan to begin crying.

“These kids really appreciate this program,” Jordan said, while choking back tears.

The children聽鈥� who filled shopping carts with Barbies, basketballs and Star Wars figures 鈥� were chosen based on need and merit, such as improving聽grades in school.

“When we see a marked improvement we have to go back and show them that we’re proud of them,” says D.C. police Sgt. Sonja Flipping. “This is one of our resources for doing that.”

Thursday’s event was the second聽recently for MPD officers helping area children on shopping sprees. Last week,聽 went shopping at the Columbia Heights聽Target.

“You see all the smiling faces here,”聽says Joseph Persichini Jr., Executive Director of the Washington, D.C. Police Foundation, while scanning the room of children聽and officers gathered at Faith Moravian Church before the shopping trip.

The Police Foundation funds聽all the department’s outreach programs with the help of the business community.

“It’s been a very difficult year for law enforcement, but days like today are for everyone 鈥� for the police officers, for the kids and for our relationship with the community,” Persichini says.

Saying the event is an effort to tear down walls between police and the community, Flipping is involved in six聽grant-funded programs the police department聽has with young people, but聽likes “Shop with a Cop!” best.

“We get to spend time and interact on a real personal level.聽It lets our youth know聽that the police are human. We’re everyday people,” she says.

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April 25, 2026 | 'It lets, most importantly, our youth know that the police are human' (海角精品黑料's Kristi King reports.)