Making a bust may be nothing new for Saanich Police, but one local teacherB次元官网网址檚 efforts to get them to bust a move has earned her the Chief ConstableB次元官网网址檚 Citizenship Award.

Spectrum dance teacher Lia Shannon was presented the award last week for her work organizing a flashmob by police officers and Spectrum dance students at Uptown shopping centre in May.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxISb0AwmUw&feature=youtu.be

B次元官网网址淚t was truly such a surprise, I had no idea that award existed even. I was so honoured and delighted to receive it,B次元官网网址� said Shannon, adding the award is really a reflection on everyone involved in the flashmob.

That leaves plenty to share in the recognition, as it was close to 100 of ShannonB次元官网网址檚 students along with 21 police officers who surprised a crowd of shoppers at Uptown on May 4 with a four-minute choreographed dance routine.

B次元官网网址淢y advanced dancers start it and then I had the rest of my dancers come in, so I had about 100 dancers, and then the police are acting like, whatB次元官网网址檚 going on. And then they come in and thatB次元官网网址檚 when they surprise the crowd,B次元官网网址� she said.

Shannon credits the idea for the flashmob to Const. Niki Sundher, with Saanich PoliceB次元官网网址檚 community engagement division, who wanted a collaborative effort between police and youth that would showcase both in a positive light.

B次元官网网址淲ithout a thought I said yes, which I tend to do quite a bit.B次元官网网址�

That gave her four days to put everything together.

B次元官网网址淢y dancers practised every day, the whole day, for those four days,B次元官网网址� said Shannon, who told the officers that they could join in the classes but didnB次元官网网址檛 think their schedules would allow it.

B次元官网网址淚 had 17 police officers at one time in my class,B次元官网网址� she said, adding she heard some had even held 2 a.m. practices.

B次元官网网址淚 was just so impressed with how serious they took it.B次元官网网址�

One officer even insisted on working overtime to learn all the moves, including those of her most experienced dancers.

B次元官网网址淗e came in and practised with me. I told him, this part is really difficult. But he was super serious and said, B次元官网网址業B次元官网网址檓 going to do thisB次元官网网址�.B次元官网网址�

The hard work paid off and the flashmob was a huge hit at Uptown as well as online, where a four-minute YouTube video has been watched more than 16,000 times.

B次元官网网址淚 thought it would just be a fun project and I canB次元官网网址檛 believe the impact it had on the community,B次元官网网址� said Shannon, whoB次元官网网址檚 also witnessed benefits for her students.

B次元官网网址淭he connections the kids made with the police officers. TheyB次元官网网址檙e happy to see these officers now. It makes for a neat relationship.B次元官网网址�

And Shannon isnB次元官网网址檛 likely finished with flashmobs just yet. She was approached by someone who saw the YouTube clip and asked her to put together a flashmob for a wedding this summer.