Baseball season might be over, but that’s not stopping Claremont’s Police Department from debuting its latest community outreach project—trading cards featuring the station’s 40-plus officers.

The trading cards picture the officer on the front, similar to traditional baseball trading cards. Instead of statistics on the back, though, there’s information about the officer’s background and a quote of their choosing. Officers will carry copies of their own card to hand out to Claremonters.

Sergeant Robert Ewing said the police department has made two editions of the trading cards in the past, but this one is the first since he joined the Claremont department nearly 14 years ago.

Sgt. Ewing’s trading card shows him mid-air, jumping over a fence during an on-foot pursuit, and includes facts about where he attended school.

He explained that the trading cards serve as a way to start more conversations with Claremonters.

“‘You guys are standoffish. You never interact with the public.’ Well, here’s a way we can change that,” Sgt. Ewing said.

They can also aid officers in starting positive interactions with children at events.

“A lot of times, they’ll ask us for a sticker,” Sgt. Ewing said. “But with baseball cards, the kids can readily identify what it is. And they can try and get the whole collection.”

He said stopping by the station is the easiest way to collect the trading cards.

“If they have an idea of how many officers they have left and ‘I need to talk to Officer Smith and Agent Jones’ and whoever it might be, if they stop by the station, they might be able to find out when they’re working or if they’re there that day, [you could say] ‘Oh, could I have a card please?’”

Hosting coffee with a cop, giving station tours and attending the tree lighting event (although partly for security) are some of the community outreach projects the Claremont Police Department has done in the past.

With every project, the goal remains the same.

“It’s a way to let people know that it isn’t just that we’re out there—and we’re going to violate your rights or we’re going to do this or that—no,” Sgt. Ewing said. “We’re here to help protect you, to keep you safe in your homes, safe in your businesses.”

Claremont police officers are seeking sponsorships for their cards from Claremont businesses, nonprofits or even individuals. Sponsorships are $120 which provides for the printing of 1,000 cards, and sponsors receive recognition on the officer’s cards.

To sponsor a Claremont cop, contact John Costa at the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5409 or by email at jcosta@ci.claremont.ca.us.

—Meghan Bobrowsky