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Police Week in Canada; focus on tomorrow?s recruits

By Rick Pusiak There are a lot of events in Alex McCauley?s daybook these days that could be called wrap-up appointments. Sudbury?s police chief is retiring and his replacement may be announced by the end of the month.
By Rick Pusiak

There are a lot of events in Alex McCauley?s daybook these days that could be called wrap-up appointments. Sudbury?s police chief is retiring and his replacement may be announced by the end of the month.
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Police Chief Alex McCauley

On Monday McCauley was nostalgic as he presided over his final Police Week launch.

The theme for the 2002 version of police week is ?Standing Proud-Careers in Policing.? Recruiting displays will be set up at the New Sudbury Centre until Thursday.

McCauley said the theme reflects the importance put on attracting the best people for the service. The chief recalled when he signed up 33 years ago he barely made the height requirement. Now there?s more of an emphasis not just on the physical, but on other abilities such as how effective an individual can be.

?The ability to use your mind to deal with situations is far more important than using your brawn,? said McCauley.

?I?m extremely happy with the women in policing, I think they?ve brought a very, very positive role to policing and it?s been great. Often times I just smile when I hear people talking about, well, this person?s kinda small?they may be small in stature but they?re very strong everywhere else.?

McCauley looked over at the youngsters from Ecole Helene Gravel who sang the national anthem during Monday?s police week ceremonies at Tom Davies Square and said one of them might one day wear the blue uniform.

?We try to interact with children as much as we can,? said the chief.

?That?s why it?s important for us to hire students over summer so they can see what we do and perhaps make a decision on a career in policing.?

McCauley added the police chief may get the honour of steering the ship but it?s the men and women around him and the community that make it work.

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