AUBURN – They are not uniformed Grinches out to steal Christmas from holiday shoppers.

Police say their presence at Wal-Mart is merely added security for the department store as the Christmas shopping season gets under way.

Some shoppers were startled Friday to find uniformed cops near the entrances and exits of the Mount Auburn Avenue store. Police said they have been hired to provide additional security at the department store until after Christmas.

The officers will join security agents employed full-time at the store, watching for thieves, belligerent shoppers and other disruptions, police said.

Officers hired to work at the store will be paid by Wal-Mart.