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News & Events
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
Police Advisor
Spring 2003 Edition
This issue of the Police Advisor was generously sponsored by EnCana Corporation and the Calgary Herald. Topics include recrutiment, red light cameras, bullying, graffiti and the Business Liaison Program.
Message from Chief Jack Beaton
I'm often reminded how fortunate the Calgary Police Service is to have such a strong relationship with the citizens of this city. I believe it stems from the friendly attitude and caring nature that has defined the collective spirit of Calgary for generations. It's a true tangible benefit that no one can put a price on. We see it brought to life in everyday partnerships between our officers and the community. This grassroots connection with people from all walks of life - students, parents, business owners and seniors - is the foundation of our success in maintaining Calgary as a safe place to live, work and play.
Keeping this relationship between the Service and the citizens healthy depends largely on open communication. It's never been more important to the safety and security of us all, as we see such rapid growth and change in our city. One of the ways we encourage dialogue is through community surveys, the latest of which will be conducted this year.
But whether it's through a survey, a phone call or e-mail we invite your comments and concerns at any time. Your input will help us set policing priorities, while letting us know how we're doing with specific programs and initiatives. It's a key aspect of the philosophy of community-based policing that underscores our every effort.
We listen to citizens' concerns
Break and enters:
You have told us house break-ins are a prime concern. I am pleased to report that for the fourth consecutive year, the Calgary Police Service solved more than 25% of break and enter cases - a goal we set in our 2002-2004 Business Plan. Last year, property crimes, which also include theft and possession of stolen property, were the lowest in Calgary since 1979. We continue to place a priority focus on this type of crime through education, investigation and enforcement.
Street crimes:
Another area of focus is drugs, gangs and prostitution. Our Street Crime Investigations Team, encompassing the Serious Habitual Offender Program, the Gang Action Unit and the Graffiti Unit, is a collaborative effort that continues to show positive results in reducing street level criminal activities in Calgary. A number of special operations and task forces, including other policing agencies, also target illegal drug and sex trade activity.
Safer streets:
Traffic Safety is an ongoing concern as vehicle numbers rise in our city. As you'll read in this issue, the red light camera program, launched last year, is making a positive impact on safety at intersections. Other initiatives under our Selective Traffic Enforcement Program are traffic violations and raising driver awareness about the rules of the road. If you are concerned about traffic problems in your community, you can submit a traffic service request by calling your district office, the traffic office (295-7900) or completing the request form.
Working toward emergency preparedness:
Early this year, the spectre of war raised concerns about emergency preparedness in our city. The Calgary Police Service is addressing the need for a collaborative, committed approach to achieve an appropriate state of readiness in the event of a serious incident.
This will involve the close cooperation of fire and emergency medical services, along with a host of other law enforcement and community agencies. We have made some progress in this area. For example, our Tactical Unit has been working with the Calgary Fire Department and EMS to develop a tri-services response to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies in our community.
From a security perspective, we gained considerable knowledge and expertise from our involvement with the G8 Summit - the country's largest ever peacetime security operation - but we also identified issues that need to be addressed if we are to be better prepared for potential future crises.
City growth brings challenges
Like other municipal authorities, we face a significant challenge in the rapid growth of the city. As the population rises, so does the demand for our services. The number of dispatched calls for service rose 14% in the last two years and that trend continues in 2003. We continue to implement strategic initiatives to address this growth while making the most efficient use of resources. In 2002, District 6 was divided to create District 8 in the south. That expansion involved co-locating our operations with the fire department, EMS and the city's Animal and Bylaw services in the new Mid-Sun Services Centre, Calgary's first multi-services facility. We are on track to open a similar all-services facility in the north, when District 3 splits to create District 9 next year.
Service offers exciting career opportunities
Meeting the future policing needs of Calgary requires that we take focused steps today to ensure we have the necessary complement of well-rounded, well-trained recruits. Our efforts to attract Canada's best and brightest continue year-round through a range of recruitment activities. We invite candidates from all cultural backgrounds to consider a future in policing. As you can tell from the recruiting article, it's a career that offers great challenge, wide variety and many rewards.
Our Tradition, Your Future - Recruiting
Policing in Calgary offers a career of challenge, diversity and lifelong learning
There's a lot more to a career in policing than most people would imagine. Forget the stereotypes you see in TV and film. The real world of law enforcement is highly diverse with many rewards for the right people.
Whether it involves traffic safety, youth education, high tech crime prevention or drug crime investigation, police work is more than just a job by any definition. The Calgary Police Service offers work in over 100 specialty areas. As Staff Sergeant Bob Ritchie of the Recruiting Unit explains, this type of diversity affords many careers with a single stable employer.
"The average person goes through several career changes in a lifetime, with no guarantee of employment when they switch fields or industries. In policing, members can progress through several careers and it can happen with or without a promotion."
For the Calgary Police Service, attracting new employees is a year-round endeavour. The Recruiting Unit is dedicated to finding and educating qualified candidates to meet the Service's current and future demands.
So what qualities make a good police officer?
"We are looking for people with high ethical standards, who are natural leaders and driven to succeed in a challenging environment," says S/Sgt. Ritchie. "We offer many of the benefits people look for in an employer, including opportunities for lifelong learning and professional development."
In the pursuit of its mission - to preserve the quality of life in our community by maintaining Calgary as a safe place to live, work and visit - the Service employs 1,450 officers and 580 civilian members. As the city grows, so does the need to attract new people to fill the many roles in policing. To meet the demands of the city, the Service will bring on 120 new recruits through five graduating classes this year alone.
No matter if you're just finishing a post secondary program or have years of on-the-job experience, you may have what it takes to make a difference.
"We have members now who came to us as lawyers, airline pilots, nurses, teachers and tow truck drivers. They saw the Service as an attractive career choice with great variety and benefits."
In Their Words - What Some Officers Have to Say About Their Careers
Nobody has a better understanding of the range of opportunities in police work than the people who do the job on daily basis. Here's what some Calgary officers had to say about their careers.
Constable Chris Ogwal - Mountain Bike Unit
I was attracted to the challenges and diverse duties police officers perform while attending a career and volunteer expo at the University of Manitoba. I realized a career in law enforcement was several careers rolled into one. The more I learned about policing, the more I realized this was the job for me.
About My Job:
What I like about it is the flexibility and the fact that I'm not sitting behind a desk all day. What's great about the Mountain Bike Unit is that I'm outdoors interacting with people every day. People find us very approachable and riding the beat means we have a lot of interaction with them, and that makes our job easier.
Constable Phil Fodchuk - Technological Crimes Unit
With my a background of 15 years in the IT industry and my lifelong interest in becoming a Police Officer, I think working in the Technological Crimes Unit is the ultimate job. I get to see aspects of the IT industry that few people get to see and help make a difference in a new area of policing.
About my job:
Technological crime is a new aspect of law enforcement, so those of us working in this area are pioneers of a sort. I think the relevance and impact of this work is going to grow exponentially in the next few years as technology continues to advance. It's exciting to be at the forefront of a developing discipline. If IT is your background, and you're looking for an alternative to the traditional tech jobs, consider a career in policing.
Constable Kathy Macdonald - Crime Prevention Unit
I joined the Calgary Police Service because I liked the idea of working in a dynamic organization with opportunities for growth. I wanted to learn new skills and experience life from a different perspective and this career has certainly allowed me to do that.
About my job:
The Crime Prevention Unit is excellent. I enjoy the freedom this area provides me to develop new ideas and I enjoy the challenge of making these ideas come to life. We spend a great deal of time in the community. My job in the CPU is very rewarding and coming to work is a lot of fun.
Constable Tim Loucks - School Resource Officer
What attracted me to this kind of work was just the opportunity to help people. As a school resource officer I enjoy the challenge of finding alternative solutions to everyday problems.
About my job:
As a familiar contact in the schools we support, we help put a positive face on police work. We work very closely with the students and staff to maintain a safe and crime-free learning environment. I like that there are many opportunities to interact with students on different levels - as a coach, as an instructor and one-on-one.
The Service encourages applications from men and women from all backgrounds and cultures. To find out more about an exciting career with the Calgary Police Service, visit the Recruiting Unit.
Red Light Camera Program Saves Lives
Intersections equipped with red light cameras have fewer collisions
The Calgary Police Service launched the red light camera program in 2001 to reduce injuries and deaths resulting from drivers running red lights. And a recent statistical analysis shows it's working.
"The goal is to reduce the number of right-angle collisions when drivers run a red light. This type of collision often results in serious injury or even death," explains Inspector Vince Caleffi, head of the Traffic Section. "As a result of this program, we're seeing fewer collisions where drivers run red lights."
An analysis of collision rates at seven intersections with red light cameras shows the program is having a positive impact on traffic safety. After one year, the number of right-angle or "T-bone" collisions dropped by 39%. And since the red light cameras were installed, there have been no fatal collisions at any of the intersections included in the first phase. All this was achieved despite a 6.3% increase in traffic over the same period.
Information from other jurisdictions in Western Canada confirms the number of drivers running red lights decreases dramatically with the installation of red light cameras. The cameras are also in use in Edmonton, the County of Strathcona, Red Deer, Vancouver and Regina.
In selecting the intersections, CPS Traffic Analysts and City of Calgary engineers use a system that assigns points to every collision, injury and death caused by a driver running a red light. Points are also assigned for other factors such as traffic volume and speed. The number of points and the ease of the camera's installation determine which intersections get a red light camera.
The cameras photograph vehicles prior to entering the intersection when the light is red. The cameras do not photograph drivers entering the intersection when the light is yellow; however, drivers may still be ticketed by a patrol officer.
Red Means Stop
The fine for running a red light is now $250 regardless of the enforcement technology used. The Traffic Safety Act identifies the registered owner of the vehicle as responsible for the ticket. No demerit points are assigned for a red light camera violation. If an officer gives out the ticket, three demerit points are assigned.
Eight new red light cameras were installed in 2002 and in 2003 another eight cameras will be installed at selected intersections throughout Calgary. Ultimately, a total of 24 cameras will rotate through 36 intersections as part of Operation Collision Reduction. The red light camera program is one element of the Calgary Police Service's overall traffic safety strategy, which combines engineering, education and enforcement to change driver attitudes and behaviours.
"We are using a combination of tools to encourage drivers to stop for red lights," says Inspector Caleffi. "It's a daily challenge to get the message out there, but we know it reduces collisions and saves lives."
Request a Portable Camera for Problem Intersections
It's been two years since the Calgary Police Service launched North America's first portable red light camera system as part of a traffic safety program to reduce injuries and deaths caused by drivers running red lights.
"The portable camera is another tool we can use to respond to community concerns about problem intersections," says Inspector Caleffi.
The Calgary Police Service receives about 100 traffic service requests each month, which shows Calgarians are taking an active role in achieving safe streets. Citizens have rated traffic as a priority concern and accordingly, the Service dedicates close to 10% of street resources to the Traffic Section.
If you are concerned about traffic problems in your neighbourhood - such as speeding in school or playground zones or drivers running red lights - you can submit a traffic service request. Either call your district office, the traffic office (295-7900). A member of the Traffic Section will contact you about your request.
Traffic Safety Act - Fine Increases (effective May 20, 2003):
| Offence |
Old Fine |
New Fine * |
| Failure to stop for a red light/stop sign |
$69 |
$250 |
| Failure to stop for yellow light |
$69 |
$100 |
| Failure to obey traffic control device |
$60 |
$100 |
| Failure to yield for pedestrian |
$60 |
$100 |
| Failure to yield for pedestrian in crosswalk |
$60 |
$500 |
| Passing a vehicle stopped in a crosswalk |
$60 |
$500 |
| Speeding - 15 km over limit |
$68 |
$78 |
| Speeding - 20 km over limit |
$86 |
$108 |
| Speeding - 30 km over limit |
$122 |
$154 |
| Parking Infractions |
$36 |
$50 |
| * plus 15% victim assistance surcharge |
Scam Artists Find Seniors Easy Targets
When Susan Bullard* opened her door to a home renovation company representative six months ago, she didn't expect to get swindled out of $6,000.
"He told me my chimney needed repair. I didn't realize it at the time, but he wasn't really interested in the state of my home - he just wanted to find a way into my pocketbook," Bullard says.
Home renovation scams like the one Bullard encountered are just one of a variety of cheap tricks thieves use to take advantage of seniors, explains Constable Kate Savage with the Calgary Police Service Crime Prevention Unit. Other examples include bogus service schemes, postal lottery scams, phony investment deals, identity theft and telecommunications fraud.
Now, as the home renovation and landscaping season gets underway, it's important to put some safeguards in place before dealing with contractors. The first thing to keep in mind is that legitimate contractors usually don't knock on doors to get business, nor do they use high-pressure sales tactics.
"Don't be pressured into anything by someone who knocks on the door and says repairs are urgent. Nothing has to be done that fast," says Constable Savage.
Those who take advantage of seniors are not always strangers. "Sometimes it's a family member who isolates the senior from other family members and then drains them dry," Constable Savage says.
No matter what the situation, Constable Savage suggests people who have relationships with seniors need to stay connected and pay attention to what's going on in their lives.
The community can also play an important role in protecting seniors. "People need to pay attention to what's going on in their neighbourhood," says Constable Savage. "If you see a contractor or cleaning vehicle near a senior's home on your street, stop by and ask some questions. It can be as simple as saying, "I'm thinking about having mine done. How much did you pay?"
If the price seems outrageous, try to get the contractor's name and phone number, and then contact Constable Kate Savage at (403) 509-1791 or the Alberta Government Services' Consumer Information Centre at 1-877-427-4088.
To keep seniors aware of the latest scams, the Calgary Police Service launched the Seniors PACT (Police and Community Telephone) system in 2002. "It's an excellent way to alert seniors to the latest frauds, and it's available simply by answering the phone" says Constable Savage.
To register for Seniors PACT, call (403) 645-2990.
* Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the victim.
Defeating Graffiti - Community Efforts do More Than Paint Over Their Problem
Community efforts do more than paint over the problem
Some may call it artistic expression, but graffiti is more often racist, hateful, profane and obscene. Few will argue that it is anything other than a public eyesore. And to the communities and property owners who spend millions of dollars a year repairing the damage, these so-called artists are simply vandals.
Community action helps wipe out graffiti
The problem of graffiti is not unique to Calgary. What is unique is how Calgary authorities and the community have banded together to fight this crime.
The Calgary police Graffiti Awareness and Abatement Program (GAAP), which draws on the support of youth volunteers, has been a success since its launch in 2000. The Summer Patrol continues to show results in the battle against graffiti. In 2002, members cleaned up 2,598 sites, gave 112 presentations to approximately 3,600 city youth, assisted 23 property owners with paint-overs, and coordinated 600 volunteer hours and 190 community service hours.
Marcel Dubois, Graffiti Intelligence Coordinator for the Calgary Police Service, says a multi-faceted approach, including education, removal and enforcement, is essential to eradicating graffiti, which can spread like a disease if left unchecked.
"Graffiti is the first indicator of a neighbourhood in decline," he says. "The more it's tolerated, the more it spreads and if it's not removed, it opens the door for more serious crime."
Volunteers take back their neighbourhoods
Anti-graffiti efforts in Calgary involve a number of other agencies including the City of Calgary Graffiti Abatement Office and the Canadian Pacific Police. Perhaps the most successful example of community action to curb graffiti is the Graffiti Response and Information Team (GRiT).
GRiT founder and team leader Barry Davidson came up with the idea of a volunteer, community-based anti-graffiti group in response to a rash of vandalism in the south Calgary communities of Queensland and Deer Run. He and handful of neighbours mobilized to educate communities and businesses on how to reduce graffiti occurrences and to form clean-up crews with free paint donations from the city.
If you see graffiti
"Record, Report and Remove." That means:
- take pictures of the damage
- write the date, time and location on the back of the photos
- sign the back of the photo
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drop it off at the nearest district office or e-mail it to one of the following e-mail addresses:
Junior Police Academy Graduates
A group of 29 youths aged 10 to 15 were immersed in the world of policing for a week in March as part of the Cops for Kids program. Candidates were selected by the Calgary Boys and Girls Clubs to take part in the first ever Junior Police Academy. In addition to having a lot of fun and making new friends, the kids gained great insight and respect for the daily work of a police officer.
When You Need the Police, Knowing Where to Call is Important
Let's face it - no one wants to be in the position of having to call the police. Nevertheless, if there comes a day when you must make the call, getting the help you need quickly and efficiently is important.
To get help fast, police suggest you take a moment before calling to ensure you dial the right number. "Our goal is to enhance customer service and decrease the call load for citizens who can get more specific help from another area," says Staff Sergeant Katie McLellan, head of the Communications Section.
In most cases, those who call Calgary police in both emergency and non-emergency situations reach an officer in the Communications Section. In 2002, the section answered close to a million calls - a challenging feat for a staff of 133 people.
In 2002, the Communications Section answered more than 120,000 emergency 9-1-1 calls. Check the Police Service blue pages (in the Telus White Pages) for frequently called numbers, district and community stations and automated information.
District offices handle non-emergency requests
Often, communications officers direct callers to alternative contacts. To report or discuss community traffic, crime and safety concerns and to report minor vehicle collisions, citizens can obtain faster service by contacting their own police district office. In addition, there are specific areas in the Service that handle questions or concerns about issues such as child abuse, sexual abuse or drug or vice education.
When you contact police:
- Dial 9-1-1 if there is a life-threatening situation, an injury accident or a crime in progress.
- Call the Communications Section at 266-1234 for non-emergency calls in situations where direct police involvement is required.
- Contact your District Office for information or advice pertaining to your community or to report minor traffic collisions.
- Use the blue pages section of the current Calgary white pages phone book to locate listings for specific police services and sections.
Enhanced system will direct customer calls
The Communications Section is developing an automated call routing system to provide a variety of options to callers on the 266-1234 non-emergency line. Meanwhile, a complete police contact list will be added to the white pages phone book, in addition to the blue pages listings.
Don't hang up once you have dialed
Of greatest concern to communications officers are abandoned calls. When someone rings through to 266-1234 and hangs up, even before the call has been answered, it's considered an abandoned call, explains Staff Sergeant McLellan.
These calls can be somewhat alarming to communications officers, who don't know if the caller found the help they needed. Citizens should avoid hanging up even if they change their minds about the call.
Liaison Program Helps Merchants Protect Themselves Against Crime
For eight years now, small business owners in Calgary have benefited from increased awareness of crime prevention issues thanks to the Calgary Police Service's Business Liaison Program.
The program draws on the support of community-based volunteers who establish regular communications with local merchants, pass along crime-related information and relay any concerns back to police. It's an idea that first generated results as a pilot project in District 6 and is now expanding citywide.
"These volunteers open the lines of communication so we can keep businesses informed about crime trends such as counterfeit currency or credit card scams," explains Constable Tyler Stoutenburg who runs the program in District 1.
Merchant members can subscribe to the Electronic Criminal Alert System, which sends out e-mail bulletins on crime issues of relevance to a particular area of the city.
That kind of support is appreciated by program members such as Wendy Arnett, owner of Madison & Page, an executive gift store in the downtown core. "It's nice for me to know there's a greater awareness about crime issues among other retailers. It's a effortand I'm glad to be part of it."
Business owners attend free crime prevention seminars
As part of the program, business owners are offered a range of educational seminars every spring and fall. The "Biz Crime" seminars include practical advice and information on forensic video, counterfeit credit cards/currency, robbery prevention, gangs and graffiti, personal safety and shoplifting prevention.
Bill Weeks has been volunteering with the program for about a year, although his involvement with the Service dates back to the mid-eighties. "My initial contact with the police was through Block Watch in my community. I found they treated us so well that I explored doing more work with them. I stayed with it because the work is interesting and rewarding."
Volunteers make it work
Volunteers have registered 920 businesses to date, mostly in the downtown core. But the goal is to expand this successful program to other areas of the city, including Inglewood, Ramsay the industrial areas east of Macleod Trail. To do that, the program needs 10 more community-minded volunteers.
"These people reach out to merchants in a way that would involve considerable time and effort by our uniformed officers," says Cst. Stoutenburg.
The program structure is flexible to accommodate the schedules of volunteers. Once they have passed the necessary security screening, volunteers undergo initial and periodic training to understand the types of crime affecting merchants.
Interested in knowing more? Contact Constable Tyler Stoutenburg at (403) 206-8230.
Is Your Child Involved With a Gang?
The street gang mystique continues to permeate the pop culture scene in North America. Bolstered by a number of Hollywood icons, the gang lifestyle hype can leave lasting impressions on today's youth who often emulate the behaviours they see.
What they don't see are the harsh realities that come with real-life gangs, where fear, intimidation, drugs and violence are the hallmarks of a criminal lifestyle. The reasons why kids get involved in gangs are widely varied, but may include acceptance, power, revenge, intimidation, money or prestige.
Experts agree the best way to keep your child from running with the wrong crowd and getting involved in crime is to maintain open, honest and regular communication with them.
"Be aware of what your kids are doing. Get to know their friends and what they are doing after school," says School Resource Officer, Sergeant Tim Loucks. "Be involved in their lives because once you've lost them, it's hard to get them back. When it comes to identifying a problem with your child and crime, Grade 9 is almost too late."
But it's important to remember that every young person's needs and problems are unique. "There are a variety of agencies in the city that can provide assistance, depending on what it was that led the teen to become involved in crime," says Julia Marsh, youth reintegration worker with the Serious Habitual Offender Program. "It may be physical/sexual abuse, addiction or homelessness that is the underlying issue."
A good place to start for information on support agencies is to call Community and Social Services at (403) 268-4636 or visit Inform Calgary.
Warning Signs of Gang Involvement
The following are some common warning signs that may indicate your teen is involved with a criminal element such as a gang.
Attitudes and Behaviours
- new discipline problems (disrespectful, demanding, displaying a tough macho or aggressive image)
- staying out late or not coming home; problems at school
- secretive behaviour about friends and activities
- drawing graffiti or insignias in bedrooms, personal property or on schoolbooks
- increase in money or expensive new items, increase of possessions
- presence of weapons
- trouble with the police or security at the shopping malls
- suspected drug use indicated by things such as mood changes and smell of inhalants on breath
Language and Appearance
- strange new words in their vocabulary
- wearing tattoos, scarring themselves or cutting/burning logos into their skin
- new, unfamiliar nicknames, strange words and or gestures
- new friends with the same hairstyle/dress, bandannas and caps refusing to wear certain clothing or certain colours of clothing
Program Teaches Kids to Speak out Against Bullying
To a bully, stealing someone's lunch money might seem like a joke. It's actually a crime. "A robbery is a robbery, whether it's a $10 watch or $200 cash," says Constable Tracey Cardinal with the Calgary Police Service Youth Education and Intervention Unit (YEI).
More importantly, when someone gets away with it once, chances are they'll do it again. Worse still, what starts out as petty crime can quickly become more serious - and more violent.
The YEI unit has adopted a new anti-bullying program called Rock Solid, created after the murder of Victoria teen Reena Virk in 1997. It teaches junior high students the importance of putting a stop to bullying before the behaviour gets out of hand. The program takes a different approach from traditional anti-bullying messages, which focus more on the criminal aspects.
"The program focuses on human decency, doing the right thing," says Cst. Cardinal. The presenters demonstrate that those same qualities apply to kids who report bullying behaviour to help themselves or others.
Police officers present the program in plain clothes, using role-playing scenarios with students to demonstrate the importance of reporting bullying incidents right away.
"Children learn at a young age that telling on others is a bad thing. We use scenarios to show these kids that taking a stand is a sign of strength, not weakness," she says. "Fear is what keeps these kids from doing anything about it. But from our experience, when police get involved early on, the chance of real retribution, beyond name calling and threats, is very small."
Standing up to bullies the Canadian thing to do
Drawing a link between reporting bad behaviour and being Canadian is a key message of the program. Cst. Cardinal explains, "Canada is thought of as a peacekeeping country and people in Canada are well-respected because we stand up for and help others. We want kids to play the role of peacekeepers from the start, and model that role to younger kids as well."
The overriding message of the presentation is that you have to tell someone the first time it happens; you can't wait until it escalates. If you do, the bully realizes they have control over you and then it's not going to stop, she says.
Longtime Volunteer Enjoys "Giving Something Back"
Wanda Clark's volunteer commitment to the Calgary Police Service spans nearly two decades. In that time she has provided victims with support, helped citizens reclaim stolen goods, assisted with Block Watch, participated in mock disaster scenarios and much more.
Clark has worn many hats over almost 20 years as a police volunteer. A past recipient of the Louise Dean Volunteer of the Year award, Clark says she enjoys the variety of the work as well as the opportunity to make a real difference.
"The Service has so many areas that involve people as volunteers, and there's a great, supportive team atmosphere no matter where you go," says Clark, who began her police volunteer career with the Victim Assistance Unit in 1985.
Clark's contribution is notable in that she is one of the Service's longest serving volunteers, but she's certainly not alone. More than 800 volunteers donate about 70,000 hours annually to police programs.
"People volunteer for a variety of reasons," explains Vivian Gathercole, head of the Calgary Police Service Volunteer Resource Unit. "For some it's a school requirement. Others find it a good way of getting to know people and of giving back to the community."
For Clark, volunteering is simply a way of life. Before working with the Service, she volunteered in local hospitals, schools and churches. "I think all volunteers want to contribute something, to put something back into society," she says.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities available with the Calgary Police Service, contact the Volunteer Resource Unit at (403) 206-8322.
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