Support for officers grows

To Sign Online Petition Go to: http://www.surreyauxiliary.org/petition/

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star - February 10, 2008

The fight to have fallen auxiliary police officers fully recognized has garnered some high-level support. William Blair, chief of the Toronto Police Service, has officially come out in support of auxiliary officers being fully acknowledged when they die in the line of duty. “These officers are colleagues and friends. We believe it would be appropriate for consideration to be given into the ways in which any such fallen officers could have their sacrifice acknowledged,” said Blair in a letter to the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation. Writing on behalf of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, Blair expresses concern about the foundation not placing the names of auxiliary officers on a wall of remembrance. “I am writing to ensure that the board of directors of the police memorial clearly understand that the OACP’s position is that the current definition should be reconsidered so that auxiliary officers can be included should any give their lives in the performance of their duties,” he said. Blair’s letter has been passed on to the Vernon RCMP detachment, which has been pushing to have Auxiliary Const. Glen Evely recognized on the national Police and Peace Officers Memorial in Ottawa. Evely was killed while on duty in November 2004. The police cruiser he was riding in was struck by a stolen truck on 30th Avenue. The RCMP have requested three times that Evely be added to the national memorial but the committee that oversees the monument has refused. The committee has stated in the past that the memorial is only for full-time officers. Insp. Steve McVarnock, officer-in-charge of the Vernon detachment, believes Blair’s comments could be significant. “Ontario has a large police contingent and some large players involved,” he said. “It’s great to see the support. When you have all of Ontario on board, it sends a powerful message.”