This National Police Week we’re recognizing the #EverydayHeroes

bc.rcmp.ca/newsroom

2022-05-15 08:00 PDT

The connection between our communities and the police is at the heart of the work the BC RCMP does to keep us all safe and to stay connected to those we serve.

This year, May 15-21 has been declared National Police Week. The BC RCMP is celebrating by recognizing the Everyday Hero, capturing the spontaneous moments and good deeds of our officers and employees in service to their communities.

National Police Week began in 1970 as a way for the police to connect with their communities and to increase awareness about the services they provide. Living in the communities where our members and employees serve provides a special connection between those unique places and populations for this National Police Week.

Whether it’s helping to carry some groceries or stopping to help change a flat tire, RCMP officers and employees often go above and beyond, to share and interact with communities. This year, National Police Week is all about recognizing the special moments when officers and employees stepped up to lend a hand to others as we serve and support.

Follow along with us all week on the BC RCMP website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @BCRCMP or @GRCenCB, using the hashtag #EverydayHeroes, as we showcase the good work our organization does throughout BC in all facets to keep our communities safe and stay connected with those we serve.

Celebrating the small and big moments that arise from the unpredictable nature of police work reminds us of the many reasons why we do what we do!
 

RCMP officers don’t just fight crime in the communities they serve, they sometimes chop firewood

There are many different ways our officers make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

Between responding to calls for police service in the community, our officers made time to chop fire wood in order to support a local citizen who was experiencing a difficult time.

Midway front line RCMP officers, and a Public Service employee worked collectively to search the back country for much needed firewood to heat the home of a local resident in need.

Midway RCMP responded to a residence to provide assistance to emergency medical crews, who were attending the home for a medical call. One of the responding officers took it upon them self to return to the home and check on the well-being of a woman, after her spouse was taken to hospital for medical care.

The officer interrupted the elderly woman as she was in the process of breaking up household furniture to burn, in the home’s wood burning stove, for heat. That officer didn’t think twice and immediately rounded up the troops, who travelled into the back country to chop wood, which they sorted, spilt, delivered and stacked for the local elder.

RCMP live in the communities they proudly serve. Our front line officers and support staff don’t just work together to catch bad guys; they work proactively to prevent crime before it happens. And they pride themselves in stepping up to lend a hand to others who may need a little help.

It’s a better world because of these everyday heroes.

Read the original story here: BC RCMP - RCMP officer don't just fight crime

RCMP officer provides subtle show of support

RCMP officers often go above and beyond, in ways that are unnoticed to the general public.

Last fall, a terrible incident took the life of a traffic crew member and seriously injured another traffic control person near Nanaimo, BC. A team of officers from Nanaimo RCMP responded to the incident.

As the road crews returned to work the following week after the loss of their colleague, an RCMP officer and cruiser were present at the worksite. This officer provided roadside traffic control for the work crew and also gave a sense of relief and security for the team impacted by the earlier incident.

A passing motorist may not have witnessed anything different, but the presence of the Sergeant Rob Graves at the worksite was greatly appreciated by the traffic crew.

It’s a better world because of these everyday heroes.

Read the original Word of Thanks here: Nanaimo - 2021-10-04

Mounties work together to free massive bird of prey trapped behind pickup trucks grill

Living in the beautiful and diverse BC communities in which we serve, our officers never know who…or what…they might have to rescue.

Two RCMP officers in Clinton never would have guessed they would be asked to help a motorist break free a large bird-of-prey from behind the front grill of a full sized pickup truck.

A motorist pulled into the Clinton RCMP Detachment for urgent assistance. Local Mounties were told that the woman was driving north on Highway 97, just south of Clinton, when a large bird suddenly emerged out of the ditch and took flight into the front of her moving vehicle.

Somehow the massive hawk managed to get trapped in behind the front grill of the woman’s Toyota Tundra. The now stressed out bird-of-prey was unable to escape and the motorist attended the local RCMP detachment for aid. The moment Kamloops RCMP Sgt. Brandon Buliziuk and Cst. Marika Masters, the Acting Corporal and Detachment Commander for the Clinton RCMP loosened the front grill of the Toyota Tundra the hawk took flight. The spectacle was all captured on film.

The police officers had a blanket on standby, and were prepared to provide care to the bird had it been injured and unable to fly away as a result. The magnificent hawk, which did not appear to be injured by the ordeal, quickly gained altitude and flew away.

Fight or flight, it’s a better world because of these everyday heroes.

Read the original story here: RCMP in British Columbia - Mounties work together to free massive bird of prey trapped behind pickup trucks grill 

RCMP officer makes a special delivery

In the unpredictable moments our officers can find themselves having to adapt in order to assist the vulnerable in our community, but it is also in those unexpected instances that we find ourselves closer to those we serve.

It began as just another night shift for RCMP officer Constable Sise Odaa, a six-month rookie with Chilliwack RCMP.

While attending an unrelated report at Chilliwack General Hospital she heard yelling and screaming with calls for help coming from the parking lot. Rushing outside to investigate Constable Sise Odaa quickly discovered a woman in labour in the parking lot. Arriving just in time to assist grandma in making a very special delivery, Constable Sise Odaa cradled the newborn as the baby was being delivered.

Mom and baby are fine and healthy.

As a result of being at the right place at the right time, Cst. Odaa will forever have a special connection to the family. It’s a better world because of these everyday heroes.

For the full story: B.C. RCMP - RCMP officer makes a special delivery
 

New Hazleton RCMP pack survival kits ensure preparedness during mushroom picking season

Whether in the spring or fall, mushroom picking season can be challenging and sometimes tragic because of the weather and the varying nature of the terrain if you are not prepared. Before heading out into the forests of BC, it’s important to be prepared to ensure your safety and survivability.

The New Hazleton RCMP has put together survival packs for those individuals who embark on mushroom picking so they are equipped for what the elements could bring.

During my first year in New Hazelton I had spent a considerable amount of time in the bush working along side of Search and Rescue (SAR) looking for people who had become lost, said Corporal David Goodyear. The common thread that I had noted was that the missing persons were always woefully ill prepared to be in the bush at all.

I have a personal rule that I never go into the bush without being prepared to spend a couple of nights there in emergency conditions.

Cpl. Goodyear noted that the detachment did not have go bags for the members which he realized was vital. This thought sparked his idea to supply survival kits to the villages who would in turn distribute them to their Band members that needed such a kit.

As well as food, the kit included the basic necessities needed to make fire and shelter.

As a result of these efforts, there was a significant reduction in calls related to missing persons from several per week to one for the entire mushroom picking season.

It’s a better world because of these everyday heroes.

For the full story: New Hazleton RCMP pack survival kits ensure preparedness during mushroom picking season

RCMP officers lend a helping hand

Be it big-city policing or small town community work, RCMP officers understand how the smallest tasks can seem the most daunting. Police officers can be counted on to lend a hand.

In Kelowna, two RCMP officers helped a senior with a walker across a snow-covered street in December. Several passersby stopped to take notice of the care and attention paid by the two officers to ensure the woman made it safely across the intersection.

In Dawson Creek, RCMP officers received a call from an 86-year-old woman living on her own. She requested assistance to get her eye-drops container open because she could not get the lid off on her own. RCMP officers happily attended to provide her assistance.

Read the original post here: Dawson Creek RCMP Twitter

In Trail, officers came to the rescue of an elderly woman twice in three days. Police attended a home after a neighbour heard someone inside shouting for help. When officers arrived, they found an 89-year-old Trail woman trapped in her bathroom after the door handle had fallen off. The elderly woman was in good spirits and was rescued without incident.

Three days later on Nov. 29, RCMP responded to a call for help at the same home. This time the 89-year-old woman had triggered her medical alarm when she became stuck in the bathroom again due to the faulty lock. The woman was again in good spirits and happy to be rescued by a police officer for the second time.

Read the original story here: Trail RCMP Newsroom

It’s a better world because of these everyday heroes.
 

Snowstorm no match for a Mountie

No call is too small for police officers. RCMP officers often take extra time to help out community members, especially when dealing with the unexpected.

In January, the Haida Gwaii was hit with a severe snow storm, which made it difficult to travel. The coastal community rarely gets snow and therefore has limited equipment to deal with a significant snowfall. Several community members and elders were trapped inside their homes due to the heavy snow.

Cst. Gunn who recently transferred from Dease Lake to the Haida Gwai was well-equipped with a snow blower to help out. He took it upon himself to get his snow blower and start to clear off the elders’ driveway so they are able to leave their homes. Many in the community had not seen a snow-blower before and were in awe of the fancy machinery.

Cst. GUNN spent a good portion of the day snow blowing these driveways along with the Skidegate Band Chief Councillor. Many in the community really appreciated Cst. Gunn’s efforts and the snow blower became the talk of the town afterwards.

It’s a better world because of these everyday heroes.
 

Off-duty Mountie saves choking toddler

While on duty, police officers are trained to run towards the danger. Cst Denise Laforest stepped up in a big way during her off-duty hours to save a toddler’s life.

While travelling to Alert Bay during an extended leave with her children, Cst. Laforest observed a man pull over to the side of the highway and jump out of the vehicle while carrying a small, limp infant.

As her instincts kicked in, Cst Laforest immediately pulled a U-turn to turn her car around and help the man and child using her first-aid training. Cst. Laforest directed the child’s father to call 911 while she started first aid.

At first, she attempted some back blows to remove any obstructions. She quickly moved to CPR, going back and forth between mouth-to-mouth resuscitations and finger compressions. After what seemed like several minutes, the baby began to make wheezing noises and Cst. Laforest was able to clear some debris from the child’s mouth, shortly thereafter the baby began to cry.
It was the most beautiful sound we had ever heard, said Cst. Laforest.

Cst. Laforest learned that the family had recently arrived on Vancouver Island via the Prince Rupert ferry from Terrace, and were heading down Island to visit with family. They told Cst. Laforest the first thing they plan on doing upon their return home is to enroll in an emergency first aid course.

Cst Laforest commented that she was fortunate to have recently completed a refresher course for emergency first aid.
Sometimes it is a matter of being in the right place at the right time and sometimes it’s police instinct that kicks in, but it’s a better world because of these everyday heroes.

For the full story:  Off-duty Mountie saves choking toddler

It’s the little things that make a world of difference

A long distance cyclist on a world tour came down south from Alaska and was cycling between Prince George and McBride, BC, during some vicious weather last fall.

He was pedaling against rain and extreme winds for quite a distance.

The cyclist who was out in the open for 6 hours, struggling in the elements and getting soaked. As the temperature dropped he feared getting hypothermia.

There was little to no cell coverage but he attempted to call 911 one more time.

A helpful police dispatcher instructed him to stay at his location on the road.

And little later officer Colin Bissell arrived. The officer took the bicycle and panniers and loaded them into back of the police truck. The officer cranked the heat up in the vehicle and took the cyclist to a hotel in McBride, BC.

The level of service our employees show to individuals in need, whether it be a police dispatcher or a frontline officer, often goes above and beyond what anyone expects.

It’s a better world because of these everyday heroes.

Read the original Word of Thanks here: McBride - 2021-11-02

Connecting to Indigenous culture through hand-crafted drums

Being a school liaison officer means more than just making sure kids are not getting into trouble. Sometimes, it can lead to sharing a project with deeper connections.

In February 2022, the West Kelowna Indigenous Policing Unit started a drum making project in partnership with the Indigenous Leadership class at Constable Neil Bruce Middle School. Cst. Rohel Williams from West Kelowna Indigenous Policing Services initiated a project for students to learn and craft hand-drums using traditional indigenous techniques.

A select group of students from grades 6,7, and 8 meet every week and work with Cpl. Williams to make individuals drums. These drums will be used in a special community ceremony for National Truth and Reconciliation Day.

This project has bridged a gap between the students, the RCMP and school staff, says Cpl. MJ Williams, Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of Indigenous Policing Unit Westbank First Nation. The project represents something extremely special. The coming together of the RCMP and Indigenous students from a school named after a fallen RCMP officer, to further our relationships.

This initiative is one of the many ways RCMP officers find unique ways to connect to their communities on a local, grass-roots level.

It’s a better world because of these everyday heroes.

For the full story: Connecting to Indigenous culture through hand-crafted drums

Local members honour the East Lillooet Memorial Garden

On May 7, 2022, the East Lillooet Seniors’ Garden Committee and the District of Lillooet officially opened the renewed East Lillooet Memorial Garden at Hwy 12 and Sumner Road in Lillooet, BC. The garden was renewed to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Japanese Canadian Internment stemming from the War Measures Act.

Lillooet RCMP had the privilege to be invited to the Memorial Garden re-opening on May 7. It was a time to reflect on darker times in Canadian history, and recognize some of those that suffered because of it. Cst Hodges and Cst Cann were able to learn even more about the Japanese Canadian internment camps, listening to first hand stories about experiences as young children at the internment camp in East Lillooet.

Over 21 000 Japanese Canadians were unjustifiably removed their home along BC’s coastline and moved to various communities further inland. From 1942 to 1949 there were 309 Japanese Canadians interned in East Lillooet. Living conditions were far from adequate, with the first arrivals constructing 62 tarpaper shacks that only had a wood stove for heating and cooking.

This is a history in Canada, and in Lillooet that will not be forgotten. The internment of Japanese Canadians will forever be recognized and remembered through the beautiful Memorial Garden, stated Constable Andrew Hodges of the Lillooet RCMP. This garden was created by countless volunteers, including some that lived the internment experience. It is a reminder that there is no place or excuse for discrimination in our community.

This event is one of the many ways RCMP officers find unique ways to connect to their communities on a local, grass-roots level.

Police help rehabilitate baby gosling

A baby gosling is safely recovering, thanks to a police officer with a family farm and experience raising waterfowl.

Lovingly named ‘Little Jerry’, the Kamloops gosling was rescued after police were recently called to a local shelter for a report of a woman who had brought it back to her room and refused to let it free. Taking a gosling is in contravention to the Migratory Birds Act.

When officers attended the room, the woman denied having the gosling, said Constable Crystal Evelyn, Kamloops RCMP spokesperson. Although police could not see the bird, its chirps led officers to its location, inside the woman’s pocket.

After consulting with the Conservation Officers Service (COS), police attempted to return the gosling to the beach it had been taken from, but no other geese were present.

The responding officer was worried it would be killed if he just left it there, so I said I’d take it home to my farm, said Kamloops RCMP Constable Richard Christy. I have a safe place with some chickens, ducks, and a pond.

Cst. Christy discussed his plan with the COS before bringing the gosling home for rehabilitation and eventual re-entry into the wild. Although Cst. Christy will be helping the bird grow strong enough to fend for itself, it is not a pet and requires a proper environment and food to survive.

He reminded anyone who comes across an animal they believe to be abandoned not to touch it and to contact the COS before interfering with wildlife.

It's a better world because of these everyday heroes.

Read the original story here: Police help rehabilitate baby gosling

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