Iowa profile: Cedar Rapids officers help children in need stay warm

CEDAR RAPIDS - As an officer on the Cedar Rapids Police Department's community action team, Lucas Liddle said he spends most of his days patrolling neighborhoods affected by gun violence.

But last Wednesday, he spent an hour with a 2-year-old girl's hand wrapped around his index finger, walking the aisles of a retail store. Together, they picked out a new winter coat, mittens, boots and a toy for the toddler.

Liddle was one of about a dozen officers who spent an afternoon last week at Target, 1030 Blairs Ferry Road NE.

The Cedar Rapids police officers bought new, warm clothes for children in need this winter.

The Santa Cop event was organized and funded by the Cedar Rapids Protective Police Charity, a nonprofit founded two years ago to provide financial assistance to Cedar Rapids children.

The Santa Cop event helps about 100 children each year, and costs between $12,000 and $15,000.

While the time spent with children is all volunteered by the participating officers, Liddle said the connections made during charity events often help officers when they're on the job.

'It's (about) building those relationships here that carry over to when we're just out on regular patrol, and we come across some of these kids,” Liddle, 34, said. 'They remember us, and we remember them. We build that relationship. That's what this is all about, fostering that.”

Having residents remember Liddle as one of the officers bundling up children like Grace Troh, 2, in a pink coat, pink hat and pink mittens, can come in handy if he meets them again on patrol, Liddle said.

'When you go to a call ... it might be the worst day of that person's life,” he said. 'But if they remember you from something prior, it always helps ease their tension and concern just because they know who we are - they know us as people.”

The Cedar Rapids Protective Police Charity also hosts a back-to-school event in August.

Officers volunteer their time, and all donations go directly to clothing and toys for children, according to a news release from Collins Community Credit Union, which partnered with the charity to raise cash donations.

Children are referred to the charity by schools, social service agencies and by police officers. They each receive about $100 of clothing.

'It's a very good idea,” said Grace's mother, Jacqueline Tarkpor, as the toddler tried on new snow boots. 'I'm very happy - it means Christmas gifts for the children.”

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