A Week - Hope & Tragedy & Hope

It's been a couple of months since I wrote my last blog for the CPCA. I'll begin by sharing a positive account of an opportunity to speak into the lives of police recruits and college students. I'll conclude by a request to pray fervently for all those affected (past, present and future) by the tragic losses of life at Tumbler Ridge.

Pictured above are seven police recruits recently hired by the Brandon Police Service. Blended in with the BPS recruits are the three remaining Public Safety students from the Assiniboine College in MB.

Unpacking Week 1 of my "Forensic Crime Scene Management for Frontline Officers" course at Assiniboine College entailed blending instruction of the seven Brandon PS recruits with the three Public Safety students. It was a pleasure to interact with them in the classroom and on breaks. In my opinion, BPS has hired seven top notch recruits who possess maturity and life skills that will be an asset to BPS and the City of Brandon. Well done, and congrats to the BPS/City of Brandon staff involved in the recruitment/hiring process.

This is my 17th year being part of the instructors’ pool in the training partnership between Brandon PS and Assiniboine College. The program has been a huge success as the majority of graduates have gone on to become successful men and women in law enforcement serving communities across Canada.

During my week, I had the opportunity to share some aspects of my faith journey as it pertains to emotional, mental and spiritual wellness, and the building up of resiliency against prejudice & discrimination. I explained the purpose and goals of police chaplaincy, and ten "Peacemakers - Help & Hope for Law Enforcement Officers" books, provided courtesy of the FCPO, were handed to the students to accompany them on their journey into law enforcement. A perusal of the book by two recruits led to some rich heartfelt lunch conversations surrounding the significance faith can have in sustaining a fulfilling career in law enforcement.

Since I stepped into the presidents role with the Canadian Police Chaplain Association, I've learned to celebrate differences amongst persons which has bolstered in me a greater desire to walk in love and respect towards others; this in turn assists in keeping my heart from making judgements against others. Presidency with the CPCA has given me the opportunity to walk alongside some amazing men and women in leadership across our nation. I'm thankful for my past and present opportunities and all that I have gleaned from my partners in leadership. We are stronger and better together; where hope may be diminished within one person, another can be used effectively by God to help hope arise from the depths of their soul. King David fought many wars, witnessed much bloodshed and was transparent regarding his struggles; "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God" Psalm 43:5 [NIV]. Present day - the struggles within the soul will be real to some if not many of those who witnessed the horrors this week at Tumbler Ridge.

The week has brought forth a tragedy that has rocked our nation causing many souls to be downcast and disturbed. The murders and traumatic injuries suffered at Tumbler Ridge are a reminder that we need to continue to pray diligently to God for all First Responders across Canada. The images they have seen this week will never vanish from their minds; the event has impacted their soul. In the midst of the darkness of this tragedy, hope is also present carried within the hearts of the faith leaders arriving to serve the Tumbler Ridge community. These faith leaders place their hope in God. Police chaplains from the RCMP have been deployed to that community to begin a long journey of walking alongside those who have been in the trenches this week. Chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team have also been activated, as have caregivers and professionals from across our nation. Please keep them all in prayer; "the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" James 5:16 NIV. Secondary Traumatic Stress is real and these women and men will need strength and wisdom and patience in order to be effective in their service to the First Responders and the families in the community of Tumbler Ridge. Our prayers go out to you: victims, witnesses, families, persons living in the community, first responders, and caregivers.

Rev. Bruce Ewanyshyn

CPCA President

ICPC Director of Region 1