A week dedicated to promoting policing wrapped with an interactive meet-and-greet at Chatham St. Clair College.
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Throughout police week, there was a social media awareness campaign to profile local personnel and describe the different roles available.
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“They were talking about how they got into policing, what the jobs are like, what’s rewarding to them,” said Sgt. Lynette Rosina, Chatham-Kent police’s public information officer and equity, diversity and inclusion co-ordinator. “Just to give a little bit more perspective.”
The theme of this year’s week was Join Policing: Keep Ontario Safe.
At Friday’s event, visitors could chat with and ask questions of front-line officers, auxiliary members, emergency dispatchers and other police personnel, and check out police vehicles and equipment, including an armored vehicle and mobile command center.
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In-person community engagement can go a long way in fostering positive relationships, Rosina said.
“Face to face gives a stronger connection,” she said. “We get more from it and I’m sure a lot of other people who are interested get a lot more from it.”
Along with professional recognition of its members, Sgt. Brent Middel said police week has evolved over the years to include recruitment efforts.
He said educating young people is key to making that connection.
“We want to attract the new generation to consider a career in policing,” he said. “We specifically tailored this event to be not only a community event for students. . . but we also want parents to bring their young children and start opening their eyes and developing that relationship with police.
“We wanted to encourage more of a rubbing shoulders type of event.”
Middel hopes such meets-and-greets become an annual tradition for Chatham-Kent police. “That would be my goal, that we run this every year,” he said.
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