Image: PML Files / Abbotsford police connecting with the community on Canada Day.

By Laurice Gomes

Airshow

Abby police looking to recruit, connect with community at Abbotsford International Airshow

Aug 3, 2022 | 6:44 PM

ABBOTSFORD — Abby police want the community to know that they will be present at the Abbotsford International Airshow this upcoming weekend (Aug. 5 until Aug. 7).

Cst. Mary Boonstra of the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) is a recruiter, and said aside from saying hello, events such as the airshow serve as a great opportunity for people to find out more about a career in law enforcement.

“We love having a presence at a variety of different events to connect with the community,” said Cst. Boonstra. “On the recruiting side, we’re always out there looking for our next police officer.”

Overall, the officer remarked that Abby police love to be at community events to connect with families, the people that they serve, and, of course, children.

“We will have a community policing booth on site there; we’ll have several police vehicles for kids and adults to come in and check out and sit in,” she said.

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Cst. Boonstra said interested candidates are able to get instant feedback on their resumes at the airshow, should they choose to pursue a career in law enforcement. She expanded and said it is a common scenario for young children to express their interest in the career path.

“Young girls will come up to us, and they’ll see female police officers, and the parents are like, ‘Go and talk to them, you want to be a police officer,’” Cst. Boonstra said. “We love that.”

The APD officer said while policing can be a tough profession, it is also a rewarding one.

“When we see the Halloween costumes of little kids as police officers, it warms our hearts,” she said fondly. “When little kids wave at us down the street, when we’re driving down, we put on our lights and sirens for them.”

The AbbyPD do weekly Instagram live videos about recruitment. Those interested can follow @joinabbypd.