Friends and Family Get to Know TPS
Soon-to-graduate as police officers, our Cadets In Training had the chance to introduce their friends and family to their work at the Toronto Police College.
It was an opportunity for recruits in the class that graduate on May 29 to allow their loved ones to see what they do and get a sense of the demands of their of their chosen career.
“It is with the support of our loved ones that we all succeed and that is why today is a great opportunity to thank you all,” said Deputy Chief Lauren Pogue. “Some of you may have friends and family members in policing while others may know nothing about the Toronto Police Service. Today, we are here to meet one another, to answer your questions, address concerns and talk about all the great career opportunities available.”
Pogue said the Service is constantly improving and expanding programs to help ensure members have what they need to succeed.
“I encourage you all to learn more about the Chief’s Wellbeing, the Before Operational Stress and the new and improved peer support programs and our new partnership with Trillium Health partners,” she said, of the programs that support mental wellbeing. “Many of the people behind these programs are here today and would be happy to share more with you.”
There were also members of the many different specialized units, including the Emergency Task Force and Police Dog Services, who talked to family and friends about their roles.
Pogue said it’s important that friends and family know they are part of a larger family.
“We invited you today to get to know each other and enjoy some time together with us. Our recruits will get their badges soon and they will become part of our police family. This means that you will all become part of our extended family and part of a team that will always be there for one another,” she said.
The Service’s People & Culture team, the Wellness Unit and the Toronto Police College played leading roles in organizing the event.
“We are pleased to bring our cadets family and friends here so they can get a better picture of what their loved ones go through daily in their training and how we prepare them as an organization for the frontline,” said Superintendent Paul Rinkoff, who is the College’s Unit Commander. “We also do emphasize self-care. Our focus on self-care gives our officers a better chance to navigate the challenging days and nights ahead of them, helping to make sure they come home safely and with a positive mindset.”
Pete Grande, the Toronto Police Association Director of Member Benefits and veteran police officer himself, has a son who is also a police officer.
“When your loved ones join the Toronto Police Service, they become members of our family and by extension so do you,” he said. “The fact that you are here today supporting your loved ones is phenomenal. You need to learn as much about us and what we do as they do. Looking around here today, you will see our members have access to a fantastic support team.”
Bris Calderon could not wait for the day to come when she could get an opportunity to meet her daughter’s colleagues and get a sense of what Toronto Police do. As a young girl raised in Bolivia, her daughter Mariam Calderon, dreamed of becoming a police officer.
“My daughter can shine here as a police officer,” the mother said. “I am so happy for her.”
Calderon’s husband, Cristian Troya, was with her when she got the call that she was accepted into TPS.
“The first time we met, she told me of her plans to become a police officer,” he said. “I have supported her through the process to the point where I am considering becoming a Special Constable or an Auxiliary member.”
Learn more about a career with the Toronto Police Service.
