Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting and spending an afternoon with Saskatoon PS Chaplain John Morris. Shortly after I moved to Prince Albert, John began sending me invitations to come to Saskatoon to meet his Chief of Police Cameron McBride, and take a tour of their newer headquarters built in 2016. I finally took John up on his offer and I'm very grateful for the hospitality extended towards me by all whom I met yesterday.
Chaplain John Morris is one of our newer chaplains to join the CPCA family in 2024. John has been serving SPS since 2021; yet despite the short time period with SPS, John's investment in the lives of the men and women of SPS was evident through the reactions I witnessed by the Members as we walked the halls of SPS and visited many specialized units. SPS employs around 700 persons comprised of sworn-in police officers, sworn-in special constables, and civilian staff. I had the joy of watching John interact personally with many staff members throughout the afternoon who know John because he has invested time and energy to develop relationships through "presence." John showed me his office, a very nice space for a chaplain; however, he was quick to share that while he could spend his hours in the comfort of his office waiting for officers to come to him, he spends the majority of his time being proactive walking the halls of SPS and visiting others' offices and workspaces. John shared one of his successful "icebreakers" has been joining the Members in floor hockey games on Tuesday. John takes to the floor as a defenseman and in playing hard with the Members, he has cultivated rapport and acceptance.
SPS Inspector Richard Buekert was our tour guide for an hour and a half through the impressive facility of SPS. Richard shared that he was a troopmate to our very own BPS Staff Sergeant Mike Tosh back in 2003 and spoke highly of Mike. Our tour with Richard was extensive and I noted that the spaces that house specialty units were large; the feedback of Members supported that these spaces truly accommodate the needs of the officers. When I asked a Sgt in the Forensic Ident Unit about the design of their three examination labs, ample CA fuming chambers and vent hoods, multiple secure evidence drying cabinets, locker spaces, biohazard containment rooms etc, he informed me that they were consulted by the building design team and their suggestions were implemented. These sentiments were echoed by a Sgt in the K9 Unit, and again I was impressed by the size of the area and resources to ensure the canines were well housed and accommodated to promote a healthy environment. The SPS indoor firearms range and dynamic training areas were equally impressive, and I smiled upon hearing Inspector Buekert share that prior to 2016, officers would have to attend an outdoor wildlife range for training and qualifications while exposed to the heat, cold, rain, snow, and of course mosquitos and wood ticks. My smile was based upon my 33 plus years of firearms qualifications with Brandon PS at an outdoor range. I choose to remember the good years of training and qualifying when the sun was shining and you only picked up a couple of ticks and successfully disposed of them before they turned you into a host to satisfy their insatiable blood sucking lust. Despite the SPS indoor range being used just prior to our arrival, I failed to detect any odor of gunpowder or lead; very impressive ventilation.
I sincerely appreciated the tour and conversing with officers throughout the afternoon. Additionally, one of the afternoon highlights was sitting down and spending nearly an hour and a half with SPS Chief of Police Cameron McBride. We immediately shared common ground in that he served as a Forensic Ident Officer from 2008 to 2014, and I believe we were on an advanced Forensics course together in Ottawa as we recognized each other. Chief McBride is both personable and humble, and although he is extremely busy, his value of chaplaincy was clearly demonstrated through the time he took to meet with us. I always appreciated the support I received from my three BPS Chiefs - Ian Grant, Wayne Balcaen, and Randy Lewis. When a chaplain has the support of Executive Officers, the doors to serve Members and their families are wide open. It was evident how much Chaplain John appreciates the support he receives which he does not take for granted. John is quick to share that he is not a police officer, nor does he pretend to be one. He has taken the approach to chaplaincy that he is an invited guest of SPS; his unassuming nature has led to an acceptance of him as being not just a visitor, but part of the SPS family.
I was grateful for the time I had with Chief McBride to share about the CPCA and discuss police chaplaincy on the local and national level, and the training and connection the CPCA provides its members. I shared my perspective that the ultimate effectiveness of chaplaincy in accomplishing the greatest impact on Member care is an agency that incorporates a team approach. The team would consist of faith leaders from the community combined with sworn officers walking out their faith who have a passion to serve their peers while being boots on the ground every day. I believe the team approach would bring a richness to chaplaincy through the diversity of personal perspectives, while demonstrating to officers and their families that emotional and spiritual support comes from sources within the Service and from the community. I recall how refreshing and encouraging it was as a police officer to be around community faith leaders who genuinely respect and admire law enforcement officers who serve their community. There are qualities that a community faith leader deemed chaplain possesses that I lacked in my dual role serving as a law enforcement officer and a chaplain. I believe the opposite is also true; thus, by embracing the diversity brought through a team approach incorporating the two perspectives, the effectiveness of Member care is enriched. I appreciated Chief McBride's willingness to hear my opinions and converse with John whether this approach could be incorporated into chaplaincy within the Saskatoon PS.
Throughout the halls of SPS, I read the vision phrase, "Be The Difference." From my afternoon tour, I'm convinced SPS is full of staff who are doing their best to be the difference. I'm also convinced that Chaplain John Morris in his weekly visits to SPS embraces the vision and in doing so John is making a difference in the lives of those who serve Saskatoon as employees of SPS. It was truly an honor and privilege to spend time with some of the staff at SPS. I deeply miss my old peers at Brandon PS and engaging even for an afternoon within a police culture brought a smile to my heart. Thanks again Chaplain John Morris, Inspector Richard Buekert, and Chief of Police Cameron McBride for sharing your afternoon with me.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Rev. Bruce Ewanyshyn
CPCA President
ICPC Director of Region One
*** Reminder to our Full and Affiliate CPCA Chaplains - please consider joining me tomorrow Aug 28th at 1300 hours BC Time as I host "Chaplains Connect" on Zoom with special guest Cathy Merchant who will educate us on the foundations of Buddhism. Here is the Event link to Register or learn more https://www.canadianpolicechaplainassociation.com/cpca-events
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