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Photo courtesy City of Richmond
Policing is about serving others
Published 12:54 PDT, Fri October 27, 2023
Last Updated: 12:54 PDT, Fri October 27, 2023
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Albert Einstein said, “Only a life lived in the service of others is worth living.” Policing is, at its core, serving others.
With a heavy heart, I was recently reminded of this while attending an RCMP regimental funeral service, with thousands in attendance. Descriptions of the fallen police member’s love of, and commitment to, family, friends, colleagues and the community he served echoed with familiarity. Volunteering with youth, helping less fortunate community members, and a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others formed the member’s ethos.
Having served over 35 years in policing, I was reminded that core qualities including integrity, compassion, and respect combined with a history of volunteerism and willingness to serve others, were consistent with my experience working with fellow police officers years ago.
Police officers are our neighbours, friends, relatives, spouses, coaches and volunteers—with backgrounds as diverse as the communities they serve. Police members are peace officers, and in Richmond, they respond to thousands of calls for service and have contact and connections with thousands more members of the public every year.
Ensuring Richmond is a safe and prepared community is a consistent priority year-over-year under Council’s Strategic Plan. This is achieved alongside the Richmond RCMP detachment through effective planning, strategic partnerships and proactive programs.
Policing involves numerous, complex upstream challenges including combinations of homelessness, poverty, mental health, addiction, social isolation, economic disparity and crime. Several strategies and innovative programs taking place in Richmond focus on these priorities and include:
• Fox 80 car: combining a police officer with a nurse.
• Yankee 30 car: combining a police officer with a probation officer or a social worker.
• Youth positive ticketing program: rewarding Richmond youth caught doing something positive.
• The Hate has No Place awareness campaign
The Richmond RCMP works daily to gain the public’s trust. Examples of its local charitable work include:
• The Richmond RCMP’s 2023 Acts of Giving, raising funds for local organizations helping seniors, women, children, homeless and vulnerable persons.
• RCMP member (police, civilians and volunteers) donations that were gathered and provided in combinations of cash, food, goods and supplies to various worthy local organizations including: the BC SPCA and Richmond’s NOVA House, Richmond Family Place; the School District; Ronald McDonald House; Cops for Cancer; Richmond Food Bank; and the YVR4Kids Charity. Public safety is a top priority for the City of Richmond. Policing legitimacy and gaining the public’s trust must be earned every day.
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