The Saint John Police Force headquarters. (Staff photo)
Saint John will a have new police chief for one day Tuesday: a 12 year old student from Hazen White St. Francis school.
The contest, ‘Chief For A Day’ is being held as a part of National Police Week. Students were asked to submit essays on the role police play in their community.
Inspector Tanya LeBlanc with the Saint John Police says the winner’s submission was “heartfelt,” and reflected a lot of similar values the force holds.
“In the essay, this young student wrote about the police being the heart of every community, and about the safety and security that the police provide the community,” she said in an interview.
Today, we are welcoming the contest winner for ‘Chief For A Day’ from @HWSF_Huskies! He’ll be taking over and visiting the SJPF headquarters, Saint John Law Courts, the Police Museum, and Saint John City Hall. Welcome aboard, Chief! #PoliceWeek2019 pic.twitter.com/7fYDEQodts
— Saint John Police (@saintjohnpolice) May 14, 2019
LeBlanc says the event is a way for youth to learn about police, and to become more familiar with the important role they play in their communities.
“It’s important for youth to know or get them thinking that Saint John is a safe place to be. Saint John Police Force cares about the community, we’re here to help make the community safer.”
The student’s day will begin at police headquarters at 1 Peel Plaza with a swearing-ceremony, where he will receive his uniform, hat and a badge. LeBlanc says he has a busy day ahead of him.
“We have a training facility (at Peel Plaza), at we’ll see what it’s like to participate in police training, he’ll be taken to our crime lab, we’ll have mug shots and fingerprints, there’ll be a K9 demonstration,” she said.
The ‘new chief’ will also visit the Saint John Law Courts across the street, meet with a judge, and meet with the Mayor.
