Officer Michael D. Harrison founded a charity called Santa Cops in his Conover, North Carolina, precinct. Uniformed police officers receive donations of new toys and clothing, wrap the gifts, and deliver them on Christmas Eve to the children of needy families. The program was designed to foster a positive image of police officers in the community. Harrison spent fifteen years as a sheriff's deputy and another fifteen as a deputy sheriff. He has supervised a patrol squad, worked with a narcotics investigation unit, and was an undercover officer. Harrison has also taught the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program to elementary students and a class on decision-making skills to sixth graders. He resides in Taylorsville, North Carolina.
