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Q: What are your t'op priorities for Whitchurch-Smujfuille? A: My vision for policing these municipalities is to see we continue to build on the success established here at 5 District. I’m firmly com- mitted to community policing, I'm also committed to looking at neigh- bourhoods, looking at the issues that concern neighbourhoods. Policing is a function that requires strong partnerships between the police and the various communi- ties, in order for it to be truly effec- tive. Q: You are now the commander of policing for Markham and part of Mitchurch-Stouflfi/ille. What is your vision for policing those municipaliâ€" ties? In 2004, he was promoted to inspector and moved to the Markham station, where he was given command in May 2008. A promotion to Staff-Sargeant. sent him to Vaughan. He has also served as the officer in charge of the sexual assault bureau and has been responsible for domestic violence and child abUSe units. He then worked with the Min- istry of the Solicitor General where he conducted audits. When he returned to York in 2001, he was assigned to Richmond Hill criminal investigations, where he worked as detective. A University of’- Toronto crimi- nology graduate, who. also. stud- ies business administration, Supt. Rouse began his career with York police as a uniform patrol oflicer in Richmond Hill, worked in intel- ligence and then moved to the pro- vincial weapons enforcement unit as an investigator. He believes in policing through active citizen participation, ‘ by working with the community and listening to your concerns. Accept- ing your input into policing strate- gies helps build trust and confi- dence in the police, he said. A 21-year veteran, he hopes durâ€" ing his time in the district, police will be able to build the strongest possible relationships with the community and-be as effective as possible. ’ In police terms, he is the offi- cer in charge of 5 District, which comprises Markham and southern Whitchurch-Stoufl‘ville. BY JOE FANTAUZZI Staff Writer Sitting behind his desk at York Regional Police’s Markham station, Supt. Robertson Rouse glances out his office window to the neighbour- hood between sentences. Supt. Rouse, 49, is your new police commander. A: One of the areas I would like to Stoufli/ille yauth priarily for new top cop address in Whitchurch-Stouffville is youth. The relationships that we can build between the youth and 5 District generally, and Stouffville in particular, I think will take uswa long way in addressing preventative aspects of disorder. Not all forms of disorder are necessarily criminal in nature, but if we are able to address the concerns when they are identi- fied at an early stage, I think we will be more efiective in taking preven- tative measures. Supt. Robertson Rouse, the new oficer in charge of York Regional Police 5 District, which covers Markham and part of Whitchurch-Stouflville, reviews paperwork with Winnie Wales. A University of Toronto graduate of criminology, who also studies business administration, Supt. Rouse began his career with York police as a uniform patrol officer in Richmond Hill, worked in intelligence and then moved to the provincial weapons enforcement unit as an investigator. Those are what I call signal crimes, that indicate to the pub- lic the level of threat that exists to them. The level of street-level crime in Markham is low and continues to be low, however, I feel that we can address even the low level of crime" A: I would say, as far as pubâ€" lic safety is concerned, street-level crimes concern us. Q: Of the emerging crime trends exists in order that it doesn't grow. in Markham, which concern you the most? 0: 14/110! dram mu m nnli A: I’m not sure there is just one factor that drew me to police work. There's the aspect of wanting to contribute to society, the aspect of wanting to make a difference and certainly the aspect of helping those in need, that I found espe- cially attractive. Q: What drew you to police work? I should mention I was born in STAFF PHOTO/SJOERD WITTEVEEN Stoujflille Sun-'I'ribune I Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 Q: Do you watch police dramas? A: I do. I appreciate them for entertainment value, but it is a far cry from the reality. (laughing) There have been a lot of shows \i’ve appreciated. Barney Miller, I thought was good entertainment value. The world has become a lot smaller since 9/ l 1 and the concerns that are shared in North America are not unlike the concerns shared by police organizations around the world. The course is designed to develop operational and strateâ€" gic abilities â€"- both of which I am responsible for. The course focused heavily on community policing and neighbourhood policing as well as some of the transnational aspects of criminal organizations. A: I attended the Police Staff Col- lege at Bramshill as part of an inter- national commanders program. That gave me a very unique per~ spective on policing and exposed me to various policing models used around the world. I've joined York Regional Police, we have certainly become much more diverse in the years I have been here, especially in recent years, as a result of the efforts of Chief Armand La Barge. Q: You recently returned from time spent at a police training facil- ity, in the United Kingdom. What was the purpose of your trip? A: To me, that's extremely impor~ tant. Diversity and inclusivity is something that is dear to my heart. I want to see the police organiza- tion reflect the community that it serves. It is important to me that we have the cultural competence and linguistic ability to serve every aspect of our community. Since Q: How important is it to you that 5 District officers represent the neighbourhoods they serve? Trinidad and, growing up, I’ve had contact with a lot of family mem- bers who were police officers and they were a big influence in my decision. I saw them as positive role models. Looking at them, I thought if they could have such a positive impact on their community, that is something I would want to be a part of. 10 minutes with ROBERTSON ROUSE Occasional meeting with Stoujfville newsmakers