The youth soccer camp is one of many initiatives the VPD is involved with to engage young people, and establish positive police and community contact.
Hundreds of kids aged six to 17 are participating in the VPD Youth Soccer Camp, being held at Strathcona Park.
The Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver Whitecaps have partnered once again to deliver this annual event, which runs from July 5th through July 8th.
The camp is put on by volunteers from the Vancouver Police Soccer and Service Club, with the generous support of Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Vancouver Police Foundation, Bell, and Kia Canada, along with SPUD (Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery).
Whitecaps players help coach and mentor the kids while overseeing the 20 to 25 volunteer police coaches each day at the camp.
During the four-day event, the children are treated to appearances and demonstrations by the VPD Motorcycle Drill Team, the VPD Mounted and Dog Squads, Air 1, and the Emergency Response Team. The kids will also receive personal safety presentations from a number of School Liaison officers.