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8-The Canadian Champion, Tuesdlay, October 9, 2001 ~ti~mpir Work as Halton police auxiliary officer offers priceless rewards, promises 11-year member By HOWARD MOZEL Special ta The Champion Linda Babcock hasn't made a dime from her 11 years as a volun- teer member of the Halton Regional Police Auxiliary Unit, but she's easily Iost count of the rewards. Ms Babcock, who's now an auxil- iary staff sergeant, is one of Uic unit's biggest boosters and site encourages anyone who's interested in serving to consider it. "MIe interaction witIs tise public, as well as tise education and knowledge l've received is pricelesa," said dic mother of two. "t'm loving it every day." Authorized to have 58 officers, Uice unit currentiy bas 40 aid is actively recnuting new membert. To that end, information sessions have been sched- uled for October il and 18 at police headquarters, 1151t Bronte Rd., in Oakville as 7 p.m. According tu Halton police Sgt. moe Prasad, co-ordinator of education serv- ices, the auxiiiary unit is a perfect fit wiUi Halton's community policing concept and helps blur the uine becn professidnal officers and Uic public. "lt's no longer Uicm and us," said Sgt. Prasad. "We are Uic community." Unlike somne unit members -who range from a chemical enginecr to a minister - Ms Babcock was welI- stecped in law enforeement life prior tuobeing swom intothe unit in 1990, as wbich time she workcd in security aid was married to a police officer. Membersbip in Uic auxiliary unit sim- ply crystallized bier enUiusiasm and interest. 'Is was evcrything Uiat 1 expected, becomning involved in Uic communisy and assisting regular service officers as required," said Ms Babcock, wbo bas becn a member of Uie Blue Knights motoreycle club for 23 years. While Uic unit belps wiUi tr-afflc: duties and crowd control at communi- ty events, Ms Babcock added that membership has also opened many other doors. "Mhe unit is like being in an officer's shocs without ail the formality of being an officer," Sgt. Prasad explained. 'Me*mbers are civilians who get to sec ai aspects of policing in a unifona. 'The idea is flot so replae regular offiers, but to augment their rank11s." Added Ms Babcock, "You get an undying respect for what regular offi- cers do." According to Sgt. Prasad, member- ship in the unit isn't linked to being a specific kind of person. uIn fact, people front divergent backgrounds only add to the mix. "Basically you have to be a good person... and have an unblemisbed background that won't embansass tihe aervice," said Sgt. Prasad. Especiaily gratifying to Ms Babcock are ie constant opportuuties to meet the public, have multicultural expen- ences and pauticipate mi events she migbt olherwise miss. "It's actually a lot of fun," tse said. Ms Babcock went on to say tha the "extensive and excellent" training tIsa unit members receive ia alsn firat-rate. lIn fact, of tIse nine original auxiiay recruits iniber ciass, tbree are stili vol- unteering afiter il years and tbre more are regular service officers. Over tIse ycars, 14 unit members have made tIse jump to tic professional tanks. 'We're even thinking of getting involvcd wits tic marine unit now," said Sgt. Prasad. Considering ail thse training involved, ail that's askcd of members is a two-year corrmitnent, lie said. TIsose who do leave, but who stili wish to volunteer can join Victims Services or Uic Communities on Phone Patrol (COPP) Programn, for example. Thse bottom line, though, is Uiat those wiUi a real interest in police work can find truc camaraderie and fulfillment in Uic auxiliary unit, said Ms Babcock. "TIsey come out because they enjoy Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Halton Pol"a Auxiliary Stff Sergeant Linda Babcock and Sgt. Jo. Praaad invite inteu'eated citizena to attend an upcoming information aession on becoming a meunb.r of thse auxiliary unit. COGECO 14 Programming Schedule - October 9th - l4th, 2001. k. 1k. lmilh Pbasdh'- lm, 1km, hu11M Pm Mqih- km,18, k1M& lmm u PqIM - k kllam, hioli k 1km, 11M5k & mmgudle!- Keepling you tumed ImiytS il~hhm ie U Rem ý614a %mwmb L'o M mai m NORTH HALTON STUDIO IIII §1à * uu oitl 21 Main Street North, Ou.L 1d2 Acton, ON L7J IV9 ",o.X (519) 853-4700 .cil ýA% 1 - K SI 1