GREAT BEND -The Great Bend Police Department is conducting a trading card program for children in the community, according to a social media report.

The program challenges children of all ages to collect a complete set of 32 Great Bend Police Department trading cards.

The set of cards includes all 21 police officers assigned to patrol, the detective K9 officer, a Special Service Team card, a DARE card, a police vehicle fleet card, the K9’s, a bike patrol unit card, and a Chief of Police card. The complete set of cards is a total of 32 different ones to collect.

The project started as the result of a call from a citizen who was wondering if the police department still had Kansas City Royals and Chiefs cards that were offered to kids by officers.

The Great Bend Police Department had success with that project several years ago and it was decided to look at it again.

After initially making trading cards for the K9’s, Kia and Lazer, the department saw the overwhelming response from youth and thought that by expanding the project they could further bonds between the two.

The trading card contest is designed to help officers break the ice when talking to children, and the cards encourage children to interact with the officers.

“I believe that it is important for the youth of the community to feel comfortable enough to come into the police department or contact any officer if they need help,” said Chief Cliff Couch. “The challenge provides the opportunity for the children to have a positive experience with the officers and for them to realize that they are regular people, just like their families.”