VPD Sergeant Terry Parmar is no stranger to identifying unique needs in the community, determining a solution, and then turning his ideas into reality with the support of the Vancouver Police Foundation. Floor Hockey for Kids, Project MESH – a youth sports day in South Vancouver, and Khalsa Diwali initiatives are just a few examples. This year, Sergeant Parmar adds to this impressive list with the addition of a unique Vancouver Police Department experience for kids at the World of KIDTROPOLIS.
Located on No 2 Road in Richmond, KIDTROPOLIS has offered an immersive family-focused indoor play experience for kids for more than 10 years. One of the highlights of KIDTROPOLIS is the indoor “mini-town”, where children can explore a number of pretend shops and services, using their imaginations to play the roles of both customer and staff. Children are even able to make-believe in an array of careers: Firefighters, Police, Dentists, Veterinarians, Pilots and more.
The KIDTROPOLIS play police station was in need a of little re-fresh when Sergeant Parmar visited with his own children last year. He quickly imagined how the space could be enhanced with a little help from the VPD & VPF. After submitting his proposal, both the Vancouver Police Department and the Vancouver Police Foundation signed off to support his vision of an updated police station experience for the children and caregivers who visit KIDTROPOLIS.
“I envisioned a space where children can have fun and be relaxed while learning about crime prevention and personal safety,” explains Sergeant Parmar. “It is always a police officer’s goal to create new opportunities for kids to foster positive relationships with law enforcement, and updating the police station at KIDTROPOLIS in this way helps achieve that.”
With funding from the Vancouver Police Foundation, Sergeant Parmar facilitated many upgrades to the existing police station, including VPD branded police uniforms, hats, badges, and vests for kids to wear while playing, new photo backdrops, new police station window signage, and new police equipment toys, such as walkie-talkies, suspect ‘booking’ materials, and mini-police cars. These additions create a space that feels more specialized and “real-life” than the previous generic police station space.
“I’m really proud of how it turned out,” adds Sergeant Parmar. “As a parent myself, the positive and educational experience that the updated VPD police station provides children at KIDTROPOLIS is really special. It is my hope that this play experience will help children understand that real-life police officers are approachable and always committed to their safety.”
The World of KIDTROPOLIS is an educational entertainment experience that offers an authentic developmental experience by providing a safe, unique and realistic educational environment. With over 9,000 visitors each month, the play space encourages kids to do what comes naturally: pretend play! If you want to go check out the new mini VPD Police Station, and the rest of the “mini-town” inside KIDTROPOLIS, you can find it at #110-5940 No 2 RD, Richmond, BC.
The Vancouver Police Foundation supports programs and initiatives that fall within three streams: community outreach and engagement (including programs for women, youth and seniors); public and personal safety; and specialized equipment and technology. You can help make Vancouver safer for all by donating to the Vancouver Police Foundation.
