Welcome to Roland’s Good News File… brought to you by Royal LePage Don Hamilton Real Estate… I’m Roland Archer.
It is often said an extra set of hands makes for light work. It is true in life whenever a challenging task is needing to be done and all available able, capable and qualified people are ready to do the work.
The same goes for policing. When there is a job to be done the Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary is there to assist the OPP in making sure the work gets done.
The Auxiliary are a group of dedicated volunteers who work with regular force officers to ensure the safety and well-being for Ontario.
The Auxiliary Program is celebrating 60 years of existence this year. Auxiliary Inspector Curtis Warren tells us some of the story on how it all got started.
“Initially they were trained in public order, crowd control and first aid. There was still a threat of nuclear war after World War 2. It was really about emergency preparedness.”
As the needs of police have expanded due to the complexity of the situations they encounter so has the responsibilities of the Auxiliary. Curtis explains.
“Over my 35 years in the program I have seen it evolve into where it’s much more inclusion for the Auxiliary program. They are doing Lock It or Lose It, they are doing crime prevention, community events, assisting in Ride Programs, victim assistance, bike, ATV, snow mobile, marine patrol as well as accompanying regular officers on patrol and answering calls.”
There has even been a part to play during the current pandemic for Auxiliary Officers. Curtis explains the vital role they have played in keeping Canada safe outside of Ontario.
“Most recently authorized to go and assist on an information basis to hand out information and education the public at the border during Covid in the Manitoba/Quebec Region.”
For more information on the OPP Auxiliary and the process to apply go to opp dot ca.
For Roland’s Good News File brought to you by Royal LePage Don Hamilton Real Estate.. I’m Roland Archer.
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