Team building for police departments

Team building for police departments works best as a 60-minute social hour run once per shift, so patrol, dispatch, records and civilian staff each get a turn: a hosted game on the break room screen, or a kit workshop people do at home. Book games about 2 weeks ahead and kits about 3 weeks.

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Station staff and officers in plain clothes laugh while painting small canvases around a break room table

Plan it around the shifts

A department never has everyone off at once. Run the same hour more than once, and each group joins the session that fits.

  • Patrol

    Officers on rotating shifts

    Book one session per shift or rotation team, so nobody has to come in on a day off to be included.

  • Dispatch

    A center that never closes

    Run two sessions, so half the room plays while the other half covers the consoles, then swap.

  • Civilian staff

    Records, evidence and administration

    Mostly daytime schedules. They join the day session, or the session that mixes them in with patrol.

  • At home

    People off duty

    A kit workshop works in the evening from home. Each person enters their own address for the kit.

What it costs to include every shift

Priced for a department of 75: 3 shifts of 25, one session each, next to one session for everyone.

Hosted games are a package for up to 25 people, so a session per shift adds a package each time. Kits are a base fee plus a price per kit.

Total price for one shift, for every shift, and for the whole department at once
Trivia with a Twist!Hosted game, about 60 minutesOne shift (25)$975All 3 shifts, one session each$2,925All 75 at once$1,415
Fun-Filled FeudHosted game, about 60 minutesOne shift (25)$975All 3 shifts, one session each$2,925All 75 at once$1,415
Cookie DecoratingKit workshop at home, about 60 minutesOne shift (25)$2,179All 3 shifts, one session each$6,537All 75 at once$5,779

Worked out from our live catalog prices. Different shift sizes? Get a free quote.

Police department team building activities

Every activity has a live host and runs about 60 minutes on your call. Prices come straight from our catalog.

Hosted games for a shift or the whole department

Nothing ships, so about 2 weeks of notice is enough. The host runs the hour, so the organizer plays too.

Kits at home and a wellness hour

Something to do on a night off, or an hour about rest. Kits need about 3 weeks for US addresses.

For people who work nights or rotate: Sleep Strategies is a 60-minute talk on sleep habits, $4,200 flat for the group.

More hands-on ideas on the kit workshops page. See all activities.

Who pays: the department, a foundation or the association

The money source decides how you book and pay. We work with all three.

  • Department

    The department budget

    Bought under your city or county purchasing rules. We take purchase orders and send an invoice.

  • Foundation

    A police foundation

    If your department has a nonprofit foundation, it may fund wellness or appreciation events. We can invoice it directly.

  • Association

    The association, lodge or social committee

    Member-funded parties and family events. Pay by card with a 50% deposit, or by invoice.

If a local business or a vendor offers to pay, check your department's gift policy or ethics office first.

The department calendar, 2026 to 2027

Dates worth planning around, with book-by dates from our lead times.

  1. December 2026

    The holiday party, once per shift

    For sessions on Tuesday, December 15 and Wednesday, December 16, 2026, book the hosted games by December 1 or kits for US addresses by November 24. Book both sessions at once. Ideas on the virtual holiday party page.

  2. January to March 2027

    After the holidays

    A good stretch for a kit workshop at home or a wellness talk, run once per shift.

  3. April 2027

    Dispatch appreciation

    Organizers set aside the second week in April as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Check their site for the 2027 dates, and book a game for your dispatchers 2 weeks ahead.

  4. May 2027

    Police Week is for remembrance

    Federal law asks the President to proclaim the week that includes May 15 as Police Week. May 15, 2027 is a Saturday. Check the year's proclamation and your department's memorial plans before you schedule a social event that month.

Before you send the invite

Five things to settle with your command staff and IT.

  • The video tool. Zoom by default, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Webex on request. Department networks can block some tools, so ask your IT staff which one works.
  • The break room screen. A shift can play together on one screen with a webcam, while people at home join on their own devices.
  • Calls come first. On-duty staff may get pulled away. Team games keep going without them, and they can rejoin.
  • Photos. Some staff keep their faces off social media. Ask before anyone posts a screenshot.
  • A social hour, not training. These are games, kits and talks for fun and rest. They are not training and carry no course credit.

Police department team building questions

What is good team building for a police department?

A 60-minute social hour run once per shift, so patrol, dispatch, records and civilian staff all get a turn: a hosted trivia or survey game on the break room screen, or a kit workshop people do at home. Book games about 2 weeks ahead and kits about 3 weeks ahead.

How do we include every shift?

Book the same activity once per shift or rotation team. Most hosted games are one package for up to 25 people, so a session per shift of 25 costs the same package each time. For dispatch, run two sessions so the center stays staffed.

Who usually pays for it?

The department budget, a police foundation, or the officers' association or social committee. Department purchases follow your city or county purchasing rules. If a local business offers to pay, check your department's gift policy first.

Do you accept purchase orders?

Yes. A booking on a purchase order gets an invoice instead of a card charge. Card payment with a 50% deposit works too.

Is this training?

No. These are social events: hosted games, kit workshops and wellness talks. They are not training, tactical instruction or certified courses.

Can we run it on our department's video platform?

Zoom is the default, and Microsoft Teams, Google Meet or Webex work on request, as long as our host can share a screen. Team games also need breakout rooms. Ask your IT staff which tool works on the department network.

Keep planning

Plan your department's next team event

Send us your dates, your shifts and how you will pay. You get a plan and a written price within 24 hours.

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