“Police sets” were all the range in the late 1970s and 80s as pro and college sports teams partnered with local law enforcement agencies to create regional trading card sets with safety messages on the back. The program is alive and well in Kansas City where for the Royals and Kansas City Power & Light are handing thousands of four-card packs out to kids this summer.
Topps created the cards which are the same in design as this year’s flagship set but have different backs with safety tips for youngsters.
“The program was so successful last season that we knew we had to do it again,” said Ben Aken, the Royals” Vice President of Community Relations. Kansas City was among the clubs who were featured on police/fire sets many years ago but the program was dormant until being resurrected in 2016.
Police officers, firefighters and EMS in the Royals market area can apply to receive cases of the cards, which are handed out while they’re on the job or at special events as long as it’s not an emergency situation.
The front of each card features photos of various Royals players including pitch
er Danny Duffy, outfielder Alex Gordon and catcher Salvador Perez, as well as the Royals mascot, Sluggerrr. The back of the card provides stats about the player as well as important safety and energy efficiency tips. 
Dozens of fire and police agencies are participating in the program in Missouri.
Cards are packaged at random. There are about 1,800 cards in each case, but not many have reached the collecting market.
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