Trading cards have become super-hyped recently, so much so that statewide conservation law enforcement departments are also familiar with them. Local law enforcement departments, such as those managing boating regulations, fishing licenses, zoning laws, and environmental regulations, use trading cards to interact with children.
After all, it's the little ones who often set the tone for parental involvement in any police-public interaction.
Think of it this way. Police officers are patrolling a park or a riverbank. They might see a breach of fishing regulations or other wrongdoing. In that case, an officer would go up to the individual committing the breach and talk to them.
However, in most of these public spaces, kids accompany adults. Since these are family spots, law enforcement officers face the issue of engaging with children in a non-intrusive and friendly manner. This is where trading cards come in.What Does the Police Department Use Trading Cards For
The police department, mainly the conservation law enforcement branch, uses trading cards as a tool to build relationships with children and their families. These cards encourage children to see officers as approachable and friendly individuals instead of people to be feared.
Sure, some adults also collect cards. But they usually have a motive behind it. For example, they might want specific sports cards or valuable editions. Adults tend to collect cards for monetary benefits.
Kids, on the other hand, collect cards purely out of passion and enjoyment. They simply want to share them with their friends or collect the whole deck. However, that doesn’t mean police trading cards are only for children; they’re for the community as a whole. Kids are simply more likely to be excited about them.
Design of Police Department Trading Cards
At CardMakers, the idea behind these trading cards was for kids to collect cards with different officers on them. The card will have a ''sporty'' feel to it since that's what people are accustomed to.
Each card would feature a police officer with their bio and duration of service. At the back or the bottom, there would be a safety tip for the public by that officer.
For example, for localities close to fishing areas, the cards would feature safety tips related to fishing accidents and boat hazards. For the sporty aspect, the card could feature information about the police officer's high school or college sports career.
Hurdles Faced by the Police In Marketing via Trading Cards
The police department doesn't always have a lot of budget to put into marketing. After all, everyone knows who the police are. Why is there a need to market it?
Also, since trading cards are associated with sports, collecting them might be seen as a trivial pastime instead of promoting the police department's serious work.
The department would have to get in touch with big companies that make sports cards, popular vendors, local printers, and state agencies to secure funding and printing the cards. There's also the option for internal printing.
Again, that only works if the department has a dedicated printing shop and a graphic designer. The good news is that police departments have close ties with the community, so the community might be able to lend resources, too.
Apart from the cost, there's also pushback from officers. What happens if an officer does not want their picture to be printed on a card? Or if an office doesn't feel comfortable sharing their personal information?
Some officers may also feel like trading cards are a performative way of trying to connect with younger generations, rather than genuinely promoting community safety and police work.
Why Trading Cards Are Still Worth the Effort for Police Departments
Despite the potential hurdles, trading cards can be a valuable marketing tool for police departments. First, they help humanize officers. Kids and adults can collect cards from their local officers.
It's also a good way to introduce community members to police officers they may not have met before, such as those from different departments or units. Trading cards can also inform people about safety tips and local laws.
How Can the Police Choose the Right Vendors for Trading Cards
Once the agency has confirmed the design, it's time to look for vendors. The first step is to ask for samples.
It's best to look at vendors who have already made cards for local high school sports teams. These printers are likely to have the proper paper and ink since they have experience with sports cards.
Here are some other factors to keep in mind.
High-Quality Paper
The cards should be made of high-quality paper, preferably something that doesn't bend or tear easily. Since the card is supposed to be two-sided, the paper should not show ink bleeding from one side to the other.
Quick Turnaround
The police are busy people. They don't have time to wait for weeks or even months for cards.
More importantly, the vendor should be able to work with the pictures the police already have of its officers. It's impractical for officers to travel to the vendor's location to get photographed.
Water Resistant
Since officers are out and about in all sorts of weather conditions, it's important that the cards are water-resistant.
Ability to Fit Into Sleeves
While they might be police trading cards, they're meant to be collectibles. So, they need to be designed just like sports trading cards.
The vendor should check if its dimensions meet the industry standard and confirm whether they fit into sleeves.
Number of Cards
It's imperative to select a vendor that can produce the required number of cards. Typically, the number of cards would depend on the officer count.
Around 100 cards per officer is a good place to start. Some officers are more popular or have a higher rank, so they might give away more cards. A reorder can always be placed.
Local vs. Major Printers
There are two factors to consider here. Local printers often involve more manual labor. On the other hand, major printers automate pretty much everything. So, it's often cheaper to go with major printers.
However, major vendors have a minimum order limit. If the police department's requirement falls below that number, it might be better to go with a local printer.
Mid-range printers, locally or nationally based, offer a good balance of price and manual labor. They also cater to small to mid-sized orders. Plus, they have experience with personalized trading cards.
US Production
Owing to the purchasing rules of government agencies, the police have to go with a local vendor. Many fantasy card vendors often do the production side of things overseas. Even if these printers are cheaper or more readily available, the shipping and customs could prove to be a hassle.
Conclusion
Trading cards are more than just a collectors' item or memorabilia. They can also serve as a great way for police officers to interact with the community. On the flip side, they also make officers feel valued, especially those who have worked in the force year after year.
The law enforcement agency should look at factors like cost, quality, dimensions, weather resistance, and turnaround time when choosing a vendor. Check out our vast collection of police trading cards to make the right decision!