A local police officer has been nominated for the 2021 Police Services Hero of the Year Award.
Port Hope Police Constable Tammie Staples has been a police officer since 2007 and is currently the Community Services Officer.
She was nominated last week for the award which is organized by the Police Association of Ontario and allows the public to nominate and recognize a community police hero.
The site says the nomination can be related to a specific event whereby a Police Officer or a Civilian Police Services Employee went above and beyond the call of duty, or it can be in recognition for their ongoing support and involvement within their respective community.
The 2021 PAO Police Services Hero of the Year Awards program runs from February 2 – March 15, 2021.
In April 2021, all nominations will be compiled and provided to the PAO Awards Committee to deliberate and select finalists and winners for each award category.
The Police Services Hero of the Year Awards for On-Duty Difference Maker (Sworn/Uniform), On-Duty Difference Maker (Civilian), and Community Role Model will be announced at the PAO’s virtual Annual General Meeting in June 2021.
Staples started as a dispatcher with the police service in 2002 then transgressed into becoming a police officer.
“I wanted to get the whole picture,” Staples said speaking to Today’s Northumberland.
“Dispatch you only got part of the picture and I wanted to get the whole story.”
As the services community services officer for six years she is known throughout Port Hope for her smile and wanting to help.
From Tammies Jammies, to working with Rebound Child and Youth Services, Mental Health Engagement and Response Team (MHEART), Special Olympics, Coldest Night of the Year, dealing with senior programs, to what she was nominated for delivering school programs along with many, many other programs, Staples is a fixture of the police service and Port Hope community.
“I don’t do these because I have to do these, I do these because it’s our community and these are people that live in our community.”
A few projects Staples is extremely passionate about being a part of such as helping people with mental illness.
“Everybody has their own story. Everybody is not built the same, we’re not wired the same. We can never change things completely. But we can help people to realize there is always light.”
Staples reluctantly speaks about a incident that happened several years ago when she and another officer had picked up a homeless man during the winter months.
While speaking with the man and asking how they might be able to help him, he told the officers his feet were cold.
Staples removed her footwear, then her socks and gave them to the man who was extremely appreciative.
During COVID-19 times, it’s a struggle for everyone.
“I understand we have to be six-feet apart, I understand we have to wear masks and we have to go through these challenges, but to physically see somebody that has a smile underneath their mask and they know with the expression on your face, with the light in your eyes, that you’re there to help them – that’s all I do.”
The nomination for Staples said, “she makes every effort to meet kids where they’re at and to empower them to succeed. She’s not only kind, but also doesn’t candy coat things. She’s the first person to help out and is greatly respected in the community.”
Although Staples said she is very honoured and very grateful, she’s also very shocked to be nominated for a police hero award.
“A hero to me – I look at Chris Garrett (Constable Chris Garrett was murdered in the line of duty on May 15, 2004 in Cobourg responding to a alleged robbery).”
“Chris Garrett was a hero who saved a community from a lot of things that could have happened very wrong and very bad that day.”
Staples said she comes to work everyday with a smile and hopes to give people that same reaction.
“I love my job. I love helping people. I work with great people and Port Hope is a amazing community.”
“What more could you want?”
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
