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-sizedextra staff on hand to help out.

To meetthe gruesome demand, the Department of the Eeyou Eenou Police Force has been bringingin some younger recruits: children from the nineCree communities it serves.

Ninety kidswill have the chance to bepolice officers, at least for a few hours.

''We wanted to talk about safety in acreative way,'' saidLyle Cox, interim directorwith the Eeyou Eenou Police Force in Chisasibi, Que.

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

90 uniforms up for grabs

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

Lt. David Bergeron asked the local elementary school in Mistissinito organize a drawing contest, with safety as the main theme. Four winners will receive miniaturepolice 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'snever 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, theteam bought 65 pumpkins that kids picked up to participate in acarving contest.

Staff had the difficult task of choosing 10 winners.

Capt. Joe Saganashsaid the children will be invited to join police on patrolto 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 Ouj-Bougoumou, childrensentin pictures illustrating the police station or the police force.

Cox said the police force is motivated tochange 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.