Indigenous youth find perfect pairs of shoes with the help of EPS

It is a step to create positive relationships, Edmonton police officers helping Indigenous youth to find their perfect pair of shoes.

Legacy Omeasoo has been dreaming of owning his own Air Jordan One, but getting the popular sneakers has been difficult.

“Because sometimes it can be a real struggle, sometimes you’ll find a perfect shoe and they won’t have your size, and it’s just a real bummer when that happens,” said Omeasoo.

But new shoes can be costly.

“Before this, it’s just like the shoe is so much more expensive, and I just couldn’t see myself spending so much money on a shoe that I could buy like a duped version,” said Trysten Foote, a beneficiary of Operation Sole.

Cost was no issue Friday, as through the Operation Sole Beneficiary and the Edmonton Police Foundation, each youth was paired up with an officer to help them shop.

“It’s a great program because in a lot of ways it creates trust, right? You know there’s trust for the uniform trust for police officers, and we know that oftentimes in youth, that doesn’t exist, so we like to show them the human side of policing,” said Chief Warren Dreichel, interim co-chief of police for the Edmonton Police Service.

It was a surreal moment for those taking part.

“I’m probably going to act ridiculous over the first couple of days. Probably like walking with like straight toes. You know, just so they don’t crease,” said Omeasoo.