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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
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.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
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.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
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.