New Waterloo Regional Police Services recruits bring unique perspective
Marching into their new lives as police officers with the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), 11 men and women received their badges after months of preparation, but it is their unique personal experiences and backgrounds that will help diversify the force.
“This just helps us as a service grow and develop and also connect more with our community. So this is why we think that this group is going to be so important for us, for the service,” Constable Chris Iden said.
Constable Bryce Hunt-Parker grew up in Paris, and had ties to the service.
“My best friend’s dad was a police officer growing up and he was my coach. So just knowing him and just how good he was to us and how good of a coach he was, it was always a dream of mine to be a police officer and now I’m here,” said Hunt-Parker.
He is also an athlete outside of the uniform, competing in Red Bull’s Crashed Ice Challenge and he said those skills are transferable to the streets of Waterloo Region.
“The cardio aspect is very difficult in that sport and I’m hoping the cardio stays and even gets better. As much of an individual sport as it is, you work as a team,” added Hunt-Parker.
Hailing from a small town in India, Constable Jadpreet Singh came to Canada in 2016 as an international student and wanted to make a difference in the community he now calls home.
“I knew nobody in Canada and I just made a very small family. Now I’m a part of this big family with Waterloo Regional Police Service,” said Singh.
After 8 years of policing elsewhere, Constable Josh Shymko wanted to be closer to home by joining WRPS. He says being amongst the new recruits sparks excitement back into the job.
“This is one of these chances just to get back to the road and be back with new, fresh people who are excited to be here and learn from them as much as I can. Give them a chance to learn a new department, new ways, and really experience policing from a different angle,” Shymko said.
This latest group of officers will join their patrols in the coming days and weeks throughout the region.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.