Lego artist Daniel Ng says his family couldn't afford the little plastic building toys when he was growing up.
But now at age 34, his Lego mini figures of police, paramedics and other emergency and security personnel are in high demand.
Ng's latest work of tiny art is a Lego Cop for South Simcoe Police to mark its 20th anniversary.
"I think it's a good time to recognize the service," said Ng, adding every figure is a different experience to create.
And it's all in the very small details.
"For the South Simcoe one, it's very cool because when you print out stuff this small, if the patch itself is only a black piece of patch, it's very hard to see. But for South Simcoe it's very colourful so I enjoyed doing this one."
Ng is a Toronto Police Auxiliary Officer and TTC street car driver who started the unique hobby more than a year ago when he made a couple of Lego Cop figures as Christmas gifts for friends on Toronto Police.
After posting them to his Instagram and @LegoCopGTA Twitter account the concept took off.
South Simcoe Police Staff Sgt. Steve Wilson reached out to Ng to request the service's Lego Cop.
"I really like the way that he profiled law enforcement through his Lego Cops. It is a non-traditional way to showcase our members," said Wilson.
"He has agreed to create a few Lego Cops in honour of our 20th Anniversary."
The more publicity Ng gets, the more requests he receives.
"In the past week I've received about 400 requests. Most of them want a figure for themselves. Some of them, like South Simcoe Police, they want to start out with some exposure first."
Ng buys the parts online, prints the customized details on paper and then glues them onto the mini figure.
He's done about 300 so far and says he gets paid only for his time.
Barrie Police and the OPP are already part of the Lego Cop club.
Right now Ng is working on a Vancouver Lego Cop, the first out of province with the exception of the RCMP.
The cheerful figures provide a sense of humour and support for police, Ng says.
They also serve to educate the public and send out safety messages.
"It's a hobby, art and fun," said Ng.
