National Police Week

Having been a policing volunteer and then Senior civilian Manager for the Calgary Police for 12 years, I not only had great insight into policing but was involved in many complex situations because of my position and clearances with them and my very large staff team in the Community Services Section.  For that I’m eternally grateful because it gave me better insight, and along with my education in business and Justice, it helped me build programming and support services for the unit I managed.  Fast forward to this week – National Police Week.

We can expand on all the questions of policing of what do they do, how do they do it, why do they do it?  I don’t like what they do!  That’s standard thinking.  We can say I’m glad it’s them.  We can say I wouldn’t do that job. We can say what do they do?  The questions are valid, yet the responses are vastly different. In one shift they can go from a wildfire, to telling parents their child has been killed in a motor vehicle collision, to rescuing a deer stuck in ice, to giving a presentation about fraud to seniors or helping a high school student as the School Resource Officer.  Just think of all the mindsets that must be changed and managed for those scenarios.  Not everyone can do it. Yet they must, because of the volume of calls, they can’t drag the last call they experienced to the next one as it takes a different skill set emotionally and physically. They must handle criticism (as we all do) but much of what they do cannot be discussed until it takes its toll and they must guard and protect not only us but their own psyches.  

National Police Week isn’t about receptions or displays or pats on the back.  National Police Week is a reminder for all of us to reflect on the fact that they are part of our community.  That they have families.  That they run “to” what we are running “from”.  That they do more in our community than we see unless we choose to “see”.  Yes, they are the front line and are expected to solve crime but remember they are only the first part of the justice system, not the judges. 

For National Police week, on behalf of Mayor Hostyn and Council, CAO Donna and the Administration team, and our community,  Thorsby values your contribution to our Town and Policing area that you serve.  We appreciate your waves from your marked units, and we appreciate you taking the time to stop and chat with us all here.  But most of all, we value your profession you chose, and the value you bring to our community.

Be safe.