NATCHEZ — On Saturday morning, members of the Natchez Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office took some time off from policing the city to do a little shopping.

But they weren’t shirking their responsibilities — in fact they were fulfilling them.

Saturday’s shopping spree was put on by the NPD and provided gifts for approximately 50 of the community’s needy children.

The Santa Cop program pairs law enforcement officials with local kids and provides the children with gifts they might not otherwise receive on Christmas morning.

And on Saturday, the aisles at Walmart brought that under-the-tree-feeling for dozens of children.

With smiles, and partially glazed eyes, kids and cops roamed rows of merchandise in search of new clothes and toys.

Aaron Coleman, 9, took part in the program with his two brothers.

The trio, and an NPD dispatcher, shopped for new jeans and the newest toys.

“It’s fantastic,” Coleman said. “It’s a good way for all of us to get to spend time some together.”

Coleman’s older brother Jaylon, 11, said he liked the program because it allowed his mother a chance to focus on buying her family things they needed most, not just toys.

“It helps her a lot,” he said.

Both boys agreed their favorite toy of the day was a Nerf dart gun.

“I can’t wait to get it home,” Aaron said. “It’s going to be good.”

Police Chief Mike Mullins said while the children are mainly focused on fun, the Santa Cop program actually serves a dual purpose for local law enforcement.

In addition to providing gifts to children, the program allows law enforcement officials a chance to spend valuable quality time with the youngest members of the community.

“We want to use this time to show them that the police are here to help them,” Mullins said. “We want them to know they can come to us.”

Mullins said since many of the area’s youth are raised in an environment where they’re taught the police aren’t to be trusted, events like Saturday’s are valuable.

“They have to know that we’re approachable,” he said.