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SALT LAKE CITY -- Santa's elves took the day off Saturday, but some Utah police officers stepped in to cover their shift.
The annual "Shop with a Cop" event kicked off in West Jordan. It pairs officers with about 100 children in need.
The officers and their new partners rode in a police convoy together, ate breakfast and then did some holiday shopping.
![Utah kids 'Shop with a Cop' for the holidays](https://img.ksl.com/slc/1641/164113/16411328.jpg?filter=kslv2/inline_lg)
Tom Gallegos with the Salt Lake City Police Department said, "It's fantastic. If you saw the kids in the police cars with the lights and sirens -- I mean, it's smiles galore."
Salt Lake City police officer Sean Josephson agreed. "Look at their faces. That tells it all," he said.
All of the kids said they had a great time, and everyone left with a smile on their face.
Even Santa made an appearance at the event. He showed up by air, but without his regular reindeer escort. This time, he flew in by helicopter.