New Chatham-Kent police officers sworn in

With a full council chamber, and surrounded by her fellow recruits, the day already was special for Destinee Dagenais and her family.

However, it also became a historic one for the Chatham-Kent Police Service.

Dagenais, one of nine new constables sworn in Friday, was the first-ever officer in the municipality to take her oath on an eagle’s feather during the ceremony.

Hailing from Ginoogaming First Nation in Northern Ontario, she called it a “huge honor” to combine her Indigenous heritage with the profession she’s dreamed about pursuing since she was young.

“Growing up, I’ve always looked up to police,” she said. “It’s always been a life goal of mine.

“You see the lights and sirens as a kid and you get all excited, and say you want to be in the cop car.”

Taking law classes in high school reaffirmed what she wanted to do for a living.

“I’m a very active person too. I could not see myself doing a bit of a desk job,” she said. “That was a key point for me as well.”

Dagenais has family in the Tilbury area and is excited to serve her community. She added the police service is diverse and inclusive, which was another attraction for her.

“I’ve had awesome support since coming into Chatham,” she said. “I was involved with the Bleak House … Everyone’s been very supportive and understanding of everything that I’ve been going through.”

Other officers taking their oaths Friday included Travis Maxwell, Kyle Merritt, Cole Freeman, Ashleigh LaBlance, John Goulet, Avery Wilson, Dylan Moniz and Nathan Lavoie.

Chief Gary Conn said it was Chatham-Kent’s largest recruitment class, aside from the first year of municipal amalgamation.

He said he was proud of each one of them, calling policing one of the most challenging and noble careers.

“At times, you will see humanity at its best and worst,” Conn said. “It is an enormous amount of responsibility, but overall it’s a rewarding, diverse and highly respectable profession.”

Noting the badge is a symbol of trust, the chief urged the new officers to recognize the authority it brings as a privilege, not a right.

He also encouraged them to have a healthy work-life balance, as well as outside interests.

“Our vocation is one that tends to creep into all aspects of our life,” Conn said. “Physically, cognitively, emotionally. Sometimes it’s not something that we can just simply switch off at the end of a shift.

“You need to find healthy avenues to relieve stress and pressure … Take time for yourself and your family. Start this practice now, early and often in your career, for the years will go by quicker than you think.”