2014 Annual Report - Durham Region Police Service

DURHAM REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
AUXILIARY UNIT
2014 Annual Report
For over 37 years,
The Durham Regional Police Service Auxiliary Unit
has provided volunteer community service to the citizens of
Durham Region.
Chain of Command
Louise Elborn
Auxiliary Inspector
Dan Pilon
Auxiliary Staff Sergeant
Administration
Paul Murray
Auxiliary Staff Sergeant
Training and Development
Jason Pow
Auxiliary Staff Sergeant
Operations
Bernie Kirck
Heather Butler
Dale Symons
Gavin Alston
Auxiliary Sergeant Auxiliary Sergeant Auxiliary Sergeant Auxiliary Sergeant
Sergeant
North Division
North Division
North Division
East Division
Mike Cauchi
Auxiliary Sergeant
Central East Division
Debbie Bishop-Chambers
Peter Wynne
Auxiliary Sergeant
Auxiliary Sergeant
Central East Division Central West Division
Mark Blackmore
Auxiliary Sergeant
West Division
Dave Murchison
Auxiliary Sergeant
West Division
Don Foster
Auxiliary Sergeant
East Division
Bob Kotsopoulos
Auxiliary Sergeant
Central West Division
Rob Hutchinson
Auxiliary Sergeant
West Division
Terry Bellamy
Auxiliary
East Division
Steve Wekarchuk
Auxiliary Sergeant
Central West Division
Message from Inspector Charlie Green
Auxiliary Unit Liaison Officer
The Auxiliary Unit has had another busy year attending 228 events throughout the Region. Every year the number
of events increases and I thank the members for approaching each event with dedication and a professional
manner. The members have contributed over 25,000 hours of volunteer service to the Durham Regional Police
Service (DRPS) and the citizens of Durham.
This year several of our members have reached milestones in their Auxiliary careers. Auxiliary Sergeant Bernie Kirck
has achieved thirty years of service with Toronto Police Service and the DRPS. Auxiliary Inspector Louise Elborn has
achieved twenty five years of service with the DRPS. Auxiliary Sergeant Gavin Alston has achieved twenty five years
of service with the DRPS and the Ontario Provincial Police. The twenty five and thirty year bars will be presented to
the officers at the 2015 Awards Night. Congratulations!
The Chief’s inspection and graduation parade was held on September 19 th and we added nineteen new auxiliary
constables to the Unit. The parade was held at the Col. R.S. McLaughlin Armoury and numerous GTA Police
Services attended as well as family and friends.
The annual appreciation dinner and “Auxiliary Officer of
the Year” was held at Deer Creek and Auxiliary Constable
Debbie Bishop-Chambers was named “Auxiliary Officer of
the Year”. Debbie received the award from Chief Paul
Martin
and
Regional
Chair
Roger
Anderson.
Congratulations Debbie. At the dinner we also recognized
Auxiliary Sergeant Bob Buller for his thirty seven years of
service with the Auxiliary Unit. Bob was the last of the
original members who started the Unit in 1977. Enjoy your
retirement, Bob, you have earned it! Thank you for thirty
seven years of service to the DRPS and the citizens of
Durham.
Auxiliary Inspector Elborn will be retiring in January 2015 and we wish her all the best in her retirement and our
heartfelt thanks for her 25 years of service. Auxiliary Staff Sergeant Pow has been appointed by the Chief to
assume command of the Unit in January 2015 as the new Auxiliary Inspector.
Throughout the year the Unit has received numerous letters of thanks and appreciation from citizens and officers.
The Auxiliary is a very dedicated and professional Unit within the DRPS. These citizen volunteers contribute to the
safety of the citizens of the Region and enhance the capabilities of the DRPS throughout our eight municipalities.
The Auxiliary Unit performs their various duties which include parades, special events, memorials, canvassing,
searches, ATV, bicycle and marine patrols. On behalf of Sergeant Harrison and Detective Constable Ouellette, I
thank all members for your dedication, professionalism and commitment to duty. Thank You!
This will be my last annual report as the Auxiliary Unit liaison officer. In my ten years of working with the Unit I have
seen the Unit grow to our current authorized strength of ninety members, event numbers double as well as the
number of hours worked. I am proud of each and every member of the Unit and the work that they do for the
DRPS and citizens of Durham.
The officers are dedicated to doing the best job they can do, each and every time they attend an event. It has been
my honour to have been their liaison officer and I cannot thank them enough for the work they do every day as
members of the Durham Regional Police Service.
Unit Statistics
Authorized Strength
90
Resignations
7
Recruits
18
Year End Compliment
76
1 Inspector
3 Staff Sergeants
14 Sergeants
58 Constables
Recruit Class of 2014
Mike Spencer #2135
Angela Devries #2503
Christine Kaus #2507
Chris Peterson #2508
Craig Brown #2510
Derrick Stein #2513
Doug Claughton #2516
Heather Drakes #2517
John Stapley #2518
Jordan Ashby #2519
Kate Novia #2520
Liza Serra #2521
Megan Elliott #2522
Peter Baskerville #2523
Rick Chalmers #2524
Thulasiram Kumaran #2525
Nick Forrest #2526
Steve Ellins #2527
Michelle Lormand #2528
Events by Division
2014
2013
North Division
29
32
East Division
29
35
Central East Division
41
35
Central West Division
38
38
West Division
30
25
Headquarters
6
3
Speed Board
47
44
Other
8
9
Total
228
221
47
44
41
32
29
35
35
3838
30
25
29
2014
6
North
East Central Central West
East West
2013
8 9
3
HQ
Speed Other
Board
EVENT HOURS BY DIVISION
326
737
1031
1246
1340
1622.75
1446
North
East
Central East
Central West
West
HQ
Other
Events by Month
2014
2013
January
3
5
February
2
6
March
1
14
April
19
13
May
53
41
June
34
28
July
21
18
August
9
19
September
35
25
October
14
16
November
27
29
December
10
7
Total
228
221
53
41
35
34
28
21
18
19
14
3
5
Jan
29
27
25
2013
19
16
14
13
10
9
6
2
1
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
June
July
Aug
2014
Sept
Oct
Nov
7
Dec
Hours and Mileage Statistics
Hours
Kilometers
Events
7,748.75
23,595.5
In Service
2,472
11,224
Quartermaster
45.5
1,552
Patrol
279
319
Speed Board
360
1,672
RIDE
6
6
NCO Admin
6,975
14,500
NCO Meeting
604
2,463
Event Meetings
103
948
Office Admin
4,71.5
4,750
Recruit Training
2,738.5
11,364
PLC Training
1,035
2,553
Training Other
2,542.5
9,265
25,380.75
84,211.5
TOTAL
HOURS
KILOMETERS
Events
Events
In Service
2542.5
Quartermaster
1035
Patrol
471.5
7748.75
2738.5
Quartermaster
2553
Patrol
Speed Board
RIDE
103
In Service
9265
Speed Board
23595.5
11364
RIDE
NCO Admin
604
2472
6975
45.5
6
360
279
Event Meetings
4750
948
Office Admin
2463
NCO Meeting
NCO Admin
11224
14500
1552
Recruit Training
6
PLC Training
1672
319
NCO Meeting
Event Meetings
Office Admin
Recruit Training
Events by Division
North
29
8
47
East
29
6
Central East
30
41
38
Central West
West
HQ
Speed Board
Other
Event Hours by Month
Jan
3 21
10
27
14
Feb
19
53
Mar
Apr
35
21
34
May
June
July
9
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Sharon Bowdring Auxiliary Officer of The Year Award
The Sharon Bowdring Auxiliary Officer of The Year Award was created in memory of Sharon Bowdring who was one of the
13 original members of the Auxiliary Unit when it formed in 1977. After serving only a few years, Sharon passed away and
the members felt that something should be done in her memory. With approval of Chief Jon Jenkins, the award was
made.
The Auxiliary Officer of The Year is awarded not based solely on the most hours an officer contributes over the year.
Characteristics such as reliability, a strong commitment to serving the Durham Region, presenting a positive and professional
image, enthusiasm, a strong team player and good mentor also play a significant part in the decision.
It is the Auxiliary officers themselves who decide on the most worthy recipient based on the greatest number of
endorsements. This year’s recipient was Auxiliary Sergeant Debbie Bishop- Chambers. Below are excerpts from emails
officers had submitted to the Auxiliary Unit’s Liaison officers endorsing Auxiliary Sergeant Bishop-Chambers.
“Dedicated. Dedicated. Dedicated. Debbie,
enjoys working all events. She is very
enthusiastic! Debbie has provided
leadership and direction to new officers
and has mentored several along the way.
Kind and caring, Debbie is a true
representative of the service. Both in and
out of uniform! Very deserving of this
nomination!”
“When you look at an Auxiliary Officer
and think they would make a good
Sergeant then that's the person you want
to nominate for Auxiliary of the Year.
That's what I think each time I look at
Deb. She always comes to each event
dressed as per directives. She thinks of the
Auxiliary's reputation and the parent Unit
before making decisions and I hear her
always saying how much she loves doing
what she does.”
“During my first year to date I have had the privilege of working with Debbie at a few events; have engaged with her at inservice meetings, and listened to her helpful contributions while in class at PLC.
On August 23rd this year, I worked at an amazing event called the Jennifer Ashleigh BBQ where Debbie was Officer In Charge
(OIC). As OIC, Debbie was thorough, knowledgeable, organized and very supportive. As me, being the new recruit, Debbie
ensured that I was well informed of the expectations of the day and periodically she would check in with me to provide
updates and see how I was doing.”
Congratulations Auxiliary Sergeant Bishop-Chambers.
Robert Russell Best Recruit Award
The Robert Russell Best Recruit Award was created to recognize one of the original 13 members of the Auxiliary Unit.
Auxiliary Staff Sergeant Robert Russell served over 28 years with the Unit and was our first Auxiliary Staff Sergeant. He
was instrumental in creating the recruitment, selection and promotional process.
This award is presented at the recruit graduation ceremony to the Auxiliary officer who has consistently acted as a
leader and provided guidance to their peers throughout the recruit training process. The choice for the recipient is made
by the instructors who conduct the recruits training. This year’s recipient was Auxiliary Constable Megan Elliott.
“Joining the Durham Regional Police Auxiliary Unit was a
milestone goal in my adult life. I was interested in the
auxiliary unit because I was born into a family with
police officers and I was fascinated with their stories of
dedication. In August 2013, I submitted my application to
the Durham Regional Police Auxiliary Unit and
graduated in October 2014.
My family and friends often marvel at my dedication to
our local community, yet I am humbled and inspired by
the officers who dedicate their lives protecting our
community. During my training, I realized the variety of
skillsets required to become a successful auxiliary
officer.
Along the way, I have been inspired by a myriad of
outstanding individuals and feel a sense of pride to be
included in this unique family.
At the 2014 class graduation, it was an honour to receive the Bob Russell Outstanding Recruit Award. This has been an
opportunity of a lifetime. I look forward to serving the community with the Durham Regional Police Auxiliary Unit.”
Congratulations Auxiliary Constable Elliott.
Class of 2014 Valedictorian
At the conclusion of recruit training and development, an Auxiliary officer from the class is nominated by their peers to act as
their representative at the recruit graduation ceremony. The purpose of the speech is to encourage the graduates and to
thank those responsible for their achievements and gained knowledge. This year’s class valedictorian was Auxiliary
Constable Mike Spencer.
On many occasions, Auxiliary Constable Spencer offered his assistance to
several of the recruits who were having difficulty with certain aspects of
training. He coordinated extra training opportunity with the Use of Force
instructors and those requiring further teaching.
Mike’s knowledge of recruit training comes from past experience as he was a
former Auxiliary officer with our Unit for over eight years achieving the rank
of Sergeant. His return to the Auxiliary Unit demonstrates his interest and
passion for volunteering his time to his community.
Congratulations Auxiliary Constable Spencer.
Years of Service Award Recipients
30 Years of Service
5 Years of Service
Auxiliary Sergeant Bernie Kirck #2032
Auxiliary Constable Patrick Anderson #2163
Auxiliary Constable Eileen Barber #2164
Auxiliary Constable Josh Barry #2165
Auxiliary Constable Tony Crasto #2167
Auxiliary Constable Andrew Davis #2168
Auxiliary Constable Peter Hambly #2170
Auxiliary Sergeant Rob Hutchinson #2171
Auxiliary Sergeant Debbie Bishop-Chambers #2166
Auxiliary Sergeant Steve Wekarchuk #2175
Auxiliary Sergeant Peter Wynne #2177
25 Years of Service
Auxiliary Inspector Louise Elborn #2034
Auxiliary Sergeant Gavin Alston #2121
Promotions
Auxiliary Constable to Auxiliary Sergeant
Debbie Bishop-Chambers #2177
Peter Wynne #2166
Retirements and Resignations
Auxiliary Sergeant Bob Buller #2004
Auxiliary Sergeant Shane Christensen #2126
Auxiliary Sergeant Gavin Alston #2121
Auxiliary Constable Rick Spratley #2195
Auxiliary Constable Eric Lam #2144
Auxiliary Constable Tammy Coles #2194
Auxiliary Constable Jeff Statham #2124
Community Events
North Division – 29 Events
Sunderland Santa Claus Parade
Sunderland Maple Syrup Festival (x2)
Uxbridge Half Marathon Trail Run / Walk
Huck Finn Fishing Derby
Uxbridge Walk for MS
Uxbridge Thanks Our Troops
Motorcycle Ride for Dad
Law Enforcement Torch Run - North Leg
Beaverton Canada Day
Port Perry Canada Day
Jennifer Ashleigh Charity BBQ
Interconnect Beaverton
Sunderland Agricultural Fall Fair
Beaverton School Parade
Beaverton Terry Fox Run
Sunderland Terry Fox Run
Port Perry Terry Fox Run
Uxbridge Terry Fox Run
Uxbridge Animal Shelter Walkathon
North Division Halloween Assistance
Cannington Remembrance Day Service
Beaverton Remembrance Day Service
Port Perry Remembrance Day Service
Sunderland Remembrance Day Service
Uxbridge Remembrance Day Service
Beaverton Santa Claus Parade
Uxbridge Santa Claus Parade
Cannington Santa Claus Parade
East Division – 29 Events
Courtice Santa Claus Parade
Farmers Festival of Lights
Argent Street Canvass
Bowmanville Walk for MS
Clarington Race Against Drugs (x4)
Alfie Shrubb Classic Road Race
Gabby's Gift Walk for Spina Bifida
Lock It Or Lose It Bowmanville (x2)
Bowmanville Canada Day
Sexual Assault Canvass
Courtice Multisport Series / Triathalon Weekend (x2)
Orono Fair Parade
Bowmanville Terry Fox Run
Take Back The Night Bowmanville
Clarington Family Safety Day
JOTA Scout Camp Group
PSU Search Callout Oct 25
Newtonville Remembrance Day Service
Orono Remembrance Day Parade
Bowmanville Remembrance Day
Newcastle Remembrance Day Service
Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade
Newcastle Santa Clause Parade
Orono Santa Claus Parade
Community Events
Central East Division – 41 Events
Oshawa New Year’s Eve Celebration
Running Room Resolution Run
Children's Aid Society Easter Egg Hunt
Run for Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club
Doors Open Intrepid Park
Battle of Atlantic Parade
Police Week (x12)
Lock It Or Lose It Oshawa (x4)
Sexual Assault Canvass
Oshawa Relay for Life
Durham Pride Parade
Oshawa Fire Services Community Safety Day
Fiesta Week Parade
Oshawa Canada Day (x2)
Durham Refuge Run
Bikes On Bond
Autofest Kick Off
Run Or Dye
Oshawa Ribfest (x2)
PSU Search Callout Sept 30
CIBC Run For The Cure
Pedestrian Safety Education
Festival of Remembrance Service
Oshawa Remembrance Day Parade
Oshawa Santa Parade of Lights
Central West – 38 Events
Parade for Danny Taylor
Whitby Santa Claus Parade
DRP Senior's Christmas (x3)
Emergency Canvass Callout Jan 14
PSU Search Callout Jan 14
Distracted Drivers Flyer Distribution
Easter Egg Eggstravaganza
Lock It Or Lose It Whitby (x2)
Race Against Drugs Durham (x5)
Cops and Kids Fishing Day
Food Truck Frenzy (x4)
WIN Marathon
Bicycle Fun and Safety Day
Brooklin Spring Fair-Evening (x3)
Brooklin Spring Fair Parade
Vimy Ridge Orange Lodge Parade
Whitby Canada Day (x2)
Whitby Ribfest (x3)
Brooklin Harvest Festival
Whitby Heritage Day
Brooklin Remembrance Day Service
Whitby Remembrance Day Service
Brooklin Christmas in the Village
Community Events
West Division – 30 Events
Pickering Easter Parade
Lock It or Lose It (x3)
National Rail Safety Week - Operation Lifesaver Pickering
National Rail Safety Week - Operation Lifesaver Ajax
Steps for Life Walk
Commercial Vehicle Inspection Initiative
Pickering D-Day Parade
Ajax Homeweek Fireworks
Law Enforcement Torch Run - South Leg
PSU Search Callout - June 26
Pickering Canada Day
India Heritage Festival 2014
Police Exemplary Service Awards Night
Pickering Terry Fox Run
Freedom of the City
Run Ajax
PSU Search Callout - Whitevale Road
Canvass callout - Krosno Blvd.
Police Appreciation Dinner and Awards Night
DRPS Children's Games (x2)
West Division Halloween Assistance
Pickering Remembrance Day Service
Ajax Remembrance Day Parade
Ajax Remembrance Day Service
Anti-Bullying Parent Awareness Evening
Pickering Santa Claus Parade
Ajax Santa Claus Parade
Speed Board – 47 Deployments & Retrievals
Speed Board (x7)
Speed Board (x8)
Speed Board (x10)
Speed Board (x8)
Speed Board (x1)
Speed Board (x8)
Speed Board (x5)
April
May
June
July
Aug
Sept
Oct
Regional Headquarters – 6 Events
Funeral for Toronto Police Constable John Zivcic
Ontario Police Memorial
Chief’s Change of Command Ceremony
40th Anniversary of the Region of Durham
Chief For A Day Selection Process
Canadian Police And Peace Officers’ Memorial
Other Events – 8 Events
Ontario Technical Installers Association
Peel Regional Police Auxiliary Graduation
Social Media and Digital Technology
Niagara Regional Police Auxiliary Graduation
York Regional Police Auxiliary Graduation Ceremony
Toronto World Pride Parade
DRP Recruiting Booth - World Pride Toronto
Chief's Inspection and Auxiliary Recruit Graduation Parade
Letters of Appreciation
I just wanted to express my gratitude to the men and women in the Auxiliary Unit that came out to assist in the Oshawa “Lock
It or Lose It” initiative. The officers were very professional, polite, and extremely helpful. There are no definite plans as of yet
to go back out and do compliance checks, but If there are I'll let you know. I look forward to working with you and your
officers again in the near future.
Detective Constable Jason Gomez Badge #3333
I wanted to drop a note to say Thank you so much for the outstanding amazing efforts that you put forth on the major event
that we did Saturday “Uxbridge Thanks Our Troops” Day. Your assistance has been a great reward to us, the committee, and
Legion Branch 170, and Uxbridge to have an amazing group of professionals that continue to show grace and professionalism
over and over through your extended actions of being of service to assist us over all on such a special day.
So we thank you and your team of Auxiliary Officers for such an amazing day overall and the wonderful assistance of
your presence for that day in the park will be remembered in gratitude.
Angela Horne, Committee Member
I wanted to extend my gratitude to you and all the auxiliary that volunteered to work Canada Day at Lakeview Park this
year for the City of Oshawa’s Canada Day Celebration. For some of you I am sure you have done it for many years and
others this year might have been your first.
Your services are without questions invaluable and we are lucky and thankful to have such dedicated volunteers to help
assist the day of the event. Without your help the event would not be as successful or run as smoothly as it did. Thank
you for all that you do to help make not just this event successful but your involvement throughout the year to ensure
that other events run smoothly.
Laura Iantomasi, City of Oshawa Coordinator Events & Community Engagement
Just a note to say thank you for attending my retirement function last Thursday. It was a wonderful surprise to see you
all there. It was a bit of a whirlwind for me so if I have missed anyone who was there that I was not able to speak to,
please pass along my thanks to them as well. Thanks also for the card that many of the members signed. It has a
prominent place in my family room. I have enjoyed working with you and your team for many years and could not be
more proud and more grateful for the services that all of our Auxiliaries provide to our community. You and your
members truly do make a difference!
Retd Deputy Chief Policing Operations Scott Burns Badge #107
Letters of Appreciation
I wanted to make you aware of the excellent job your members completed this Saturday in Beaverton with phase
two of “Connect the North”. The concept is to ensure that members of the community are aware of what is
happening in their community by being connected to the police through their e-mail address.
Due to distances, local police cannot always make sure that the community is aware of what is happening through
traditional methods. This way each member of the community has the ability to know what is happening and assist
the police with being extended “eyes and ears”, Cannington (phase one ) has been up and running for a year and
we have only positive reviews and comments in relation to the new connection. Mayor Clayton was also present and
assisted with the set up.
The team was able to sign up 140 households and businesses that are very eager to not only be informed but to
assist the police. Thank you for your support.
Staff Sergeant James Stewart-Haass Badge #128
We wanted to thank you for your assistance in helping us run a very successful Newcastle Santa Parade. The
Auxiliary Officers who were in charge were great - friendly, efficient and very co-operative. Please pass this message
on to them.
David Staples, Newcastle Santa Parade Committee
On today’s date, December 14th, I coordinated an effort by the DRP Auxiliary Unit to conduct a "Lock It or Lose It"
Divisional Initiative at Central-West Division. A total of 454 vehicles were checked, with 76 found to be unlocked.
Thousands of dollars’ worth of valuable items was observed lying in plain view, including Christmas presents,
electronic items such as cell phones and GPS devices and purses. In two instances, wallets containing cash was
discovered lying inside these unlocked vehicles. The intangible aspect of this is "How many crimes were prevented
by the presence of these highly-visible officers?"
The Auxiliary members are to be commended for their dedication to duty, coming in on a busy Saturday so close to
Christmas and working outside in the frigid temperatures. Today's temperature hovered around -15 degrees Celsius,
well done!
Police Constable Jamie Bramma Badge #647
Thank you to you, Greg, Jason, Peter, Steve and the rest of the DRPS for your extensive planning, co-ordination and
scheduling to make this event happen. As I have said before, these major events can only happen through the
cooperation and co-ordination between DRPS staff and Traffic staff and thankfully, everything came together for
this event.
Mike Sluggett, City of Oshawa Supervisor, Traffic Field Operations
Letters of Appreciation
My children and I drove to Port Perry yesterday to watch the Santa Claus parade as we have done since they have
been very young. Upon getting just north of town, I realized that the road was already closed down. I drove all the
way around the city only to come to another closure. There, an officer, and all I got was a number from his shoulder,
2098, was directing traffic. He was speaking with a driver that was going to wrong way on Simcoe St.
This officer asked the man a number of times that he cannot drive north on Simcoe for the parade was coming. The
driver just kept on talking and raising his voice at the officer saying he has a right to drive wherever he wants, which
I can hear from my car! The officer told him calmly, that this happens once a year and it is for the children. After a
couple more expletives, the driver backed up and drove off. I then went to talk to the officer.
After telling him that we are running a bit late for the parade, he kindly told me where I can park and told me to
come see him again to make sure we get a good 'seat', as he called it, and we better hurry because Santa is coming.
We could hear the sirens from the parade already coming down the street. We parked and went to watch the
parade. After the parade, I went back to thank the officer. He said it was his 'pleasure'. He asked my kids if we got to
see Santa and of course my children were so happy...he gave then both a high five and we went on to our car.
Please send my many thanks to this officer. He was standing in the cold for so long, and having to deal with people
that cannot drive properly, be yelled at and still smiling and greeting children, should not go unnoticed!! And let it
be known that with all the crazy stuff with police that is going on in the states, it is so comforting knowing that our
police force is as good as anyone can ask for in so many ways.
Lee Redshaw, Citizen