From the left:Commanding Officer Of The Hastings and Price Edward Regiment Chris Comeau, Cobourg Police Deputy Chief Paul VandeGraaf, Vice-Chair of the CFLC in Ontario Brian Read, Cobourg Police Constable Amrit Gill, Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment RSM Chief Warrant Officer Dean Stokes and Cobourg Police Chief Kai Liu.
As previously reported by Today’s Northumberland, Cobourg Police Service Received an award from the Canadian Forces Liaison Council.
Every two years the Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC) award employers and educators that have shown support to reservists and the mission of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves. This year, thanks to the nomination letter sent in by Constable Amrit Gill, the Cobourg Police Service (CPS) is a recipient in the “Emergency Service” category.
Constable Gill, who started with the Cobourg Police Service in March 2018, is also a member of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment which requires mandatory training for its reservists. Constable Gill was pleasantly surprised at how his new employer responded to these requirements, which is why he felt they needed to be recognized for it.
“I was told that the Cobourg Police Service is fully supportive of its employees taking part in military training as well as any deployments. This made me feel extremely comfortable because it’s not always easy asking for time off, especially as someone who just recently started working for a new organization,” Constable Gill talks recalls the conversation with Constable Shawn Labelle, a fellow member of the same regiment.
In February, Chief of Police Kai Liu received a letter advising him that the Cobourg Police Service has been chosen out of approximately 100 nominations to receive the Employer Support Award.
“We’re very excited to be receiving this recognition and pleased that Constable Amrit Gill was moved to bring this nomination forward,” says Chief Liu. “Our relationship with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment has been long-standing and very positive, and we will continue to support our reservists and give them the flexibility they need to continue their work as a member of the Reserve”.
Constable Gill reveals his motivation to nominate the Cobourg Police, “I think the solid relationship that the Chief and Deputy Chief have with the Regiment I serve and its commanding officer, was what stood out to me. I am one of two members of the Canadian Forces Reserves at the Cobourg Police Service and we are very lucky to work for an organization that understands and is committed to the goal of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve component”.
“Reservists lead both military and civilian lives, and they rely on the flexibility of their civilian bosses to fulfill their Reserve duties,” said Brian Read, Vice-Chair of the CFLC in Ontario. “The Cobourg Police Service has been extremely supportive in granting Corporal Gill time off in relation to his military work. The Reserves wouldn’t be able to operate without this type of support and we truly appreciate it.”
The evening ceremony was held in Toronto on March 19, and the Chief of Cobourg Police Service and Deputy Chief were presented with the award by Jeff Westeinde and Brian Read, Chair and Vice-Chair of the CFLC in Ontario, respectively. During the ceremony the Cobourg Police Service were also accompanied by the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Comeau, Regimental Sergeant Major Dean Stokes, and Corporal Amrit
The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment is currently recruiting for new members. If you’re interested in becoming a member, go to http://www.gohastyp.com.
CPS Acknowledgment Award Recipient
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
