Cree police spread Halloween cheer by doling out costumes

As ghouls, zombies and witches come out of hiding for Halloween, police detachments in Northern Quebec are hoping to have some pint-sized extra staff on hand to help out.

To meet the gruesome demand, the Department of the Eeyou Eenou Police Force has been bringing in some younger recruits: children from the nine Cree communities it serves.

Ninety kids will have the chance to be police officers, at least for a few hours.

''We wanted to talk about safety in a creative way,'' said Lyle Cox, interim director with the Eeyou Eenou Police Force in Chisasibi, Que.

Cox said the idea surfaced at the Chisasibi detachment, and has since "really taken off."

90 uniforms up for grabs 

Each detachment came up with its own idea on how to dole out the costumes.

Lt. David Bergeron asked the local elementary school in Mistissini to organize a drawing contest, with safety as the main theme. Four winners will receive miniature police uniforms.

Bergeron also delivered toddler-sized uniforms to the local daycare.

"It was pretty cute," he said, wishing he had enough uniforms for all the kids.

This is Bergeron's first year with the detachment, and said he's never seen this kind of initiative when he worked with provincial police.

"It's really great to see everyone get involved. People have been calling me non-stop."

Pumpkin carving contest

In Waswanipi, the team bought 65 pumpkins that kids picked up to participate in a carving contest.

Staff had the difficult task of choosing 10 winners.

Capt. Joe Saganash said the children will be invited to join police on patrol to help hand out pamphlets about safe driving.

''It gets them interested in the job, and helps us create bonds with the community,'' said Saganash.

In Oujé-Bougoumou, children sent in pictures illustrating the police station or the police force.

Cox said the police force is motivated to change the perception people often carry about police officers.

"There's no limit at what age you can start recruiting at."

The junior officers will be able to keep their uniforms for the big day, on Oct. 31.