Manny Rodrigues Photo / ©2010 TSB

FROM TORONTO POLICE SERVICES

Police helped ensure a Canadian rite of passage for kids in their community.

Police and Auxiliary officers skated with the community at the Don Montgomery Community Centre last month, as part of the fourth annual Community Police Liaison Committee 41 Division Family Skate Day.

Const. Sue Mundy said the event – organized by the Division’s Community Police Liaison Committee – began as a way to give kids something to do for an afternoon.

“We saw that a lot of kids in the neighhourhood had a shortage of things to do over the winter,” Mundy said, noting many had never hit the ice at a local arena, as they were new to Canada.

This year, Mundy said Auxiliary officer Glenn Stants helped a teenage boy from the Congo learn to skate.

“The little boy was very new here and Glenn took his time to show him how to skate,” Mundy said.

“It really summed up everything the day was about. It’s things like that which make a big difference, showing kids we’re here to work with them and encourage them to be better people.”

Many kids went home with skates donated by the community.

Bendale Business Technical Institute students held a skate drive, while probation officers and the Figure Skating Boutique donated many pairs of skates.

Toronto Parks & Recreation donated the ice time while Tim Hortons and ProAction Cops & Kids helped sponsor the event.

“It was a real community effort across the board,” Mundy said.

Mascots Duke the Dog (Marlies), Carlton the Bear (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Pat Troll (Toronto Police Service) also joined in on the fun.

Article courtesy of Toronto Police Services (used with permission)