Grab your markers, crayons, and No. 2 pencils, because registration is now open for the HISD Police Department’s third annual art contest in honor of Police Appreciation Week.

Aspiring artists in the fifth grade are free to use any type of material to showcase their inner Picasso in this year’s contest. Artwork can be submitted by individual HISD students or on behalf of an entire HISD classroom.

Designed to recognize Police Appreciation Week, which kicks off on May 15, the contest aims to help students visualize the work performed by police officers and, perhaps, go on to choose a career in law enforcement.

This year’s theme places an emphasis on the K-9 unit, but participants can also highlight:

* Any HISD campus officer, patrol officer, K-9, bike patrol or honor guard

* A relative in law enforcement

* The importance of law enforcement

* The different types of police officers, such as federal, state, county or municipal

All entries must be submitted by April 28. Semifinalists will be announced by May 5, and winners will be announced by May 12. Schools or individuals interested in participating should register by contacting HISD Lieutenant Guadalupe Jimenez at gjimenez@houstonisd.org.

The first place winner will receive a pizza party sponsored by the Crime Stoppers of Houston and have their artwork on display at the HISD police station. Second and third place winners also receive a special prize.