Pubdate: Sat, 05 Mar 2005 Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Copyright: 2005 The Leader-Post Ltd. Contact: http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361 Author: Barb Pacholik, The Leader-Post Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Rochfort+Bridge (Rochfort Bridge) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) CADETS SHOCKED BUT REALIZE DANGER OF THEIR PROFESSION On the brink of taking his Mountie oath, cadet Bryan Gardner -- like officers across the country -- got a "wake-up" about the job's inherent dangers with the slayings of four Alberta officers. "We're all shocked and saddened by what occurred, especially since a week from now we're all going to be in the same profession," he told reporters Friday. As he and other cadets in Troop 18 prepare for their approaching graduation, none were re-thinking their career choice, Gardner said. "Everyone is still game, but people are definitely processing the information," he added. The 29-year-old new father left the military for an RCMP career in hopes of providing a "better life" for his wife and infant. While Thursday's shootings brought home the danger of that work, he still feels amply prepared and ready to assume its risks. "Everyone knows coming in that that's part of the job, but unfortunately this is a wake-up for us," Gardner said. Cadet Amelie Guerin, who is still seven weeks from graduating, shared those sentiments. "It's a dangerous profession we all know. ... It's a risk. But when you join, you're ready to take it." Chief Supt. Curt Tugnum, the commanding officer in charge of RCMP Depot, said the training cadets receive "absolutely" prepares them for the potential dangers. Across the province, the deaths touched officers who reflected on the losses and the increasing danger of their profession. "It's devastating when you lose one officer on duty, but to lose four officers in one incident, the magnitude of that just cuts to the bone," said acting Sgt. Grant Obst, a Saskatoon police officer who helped co-ordinate a memorial for fallen officers last fall in Regina. "You always know when you come to work that there's that possibility. It's not something you dwell on. ... But it's the reality of policing," said Obst, a former national president of the Canadian Professional Police Association. "Everybody's thoughts and prayers are with the officer's families," he added. Bernie Eiswirth, executive director of the Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers, said the type of raid in which the Alberta officers were involved is not uncommon. Indeed, as a retired Regina police officer whose duties included the drug squad, he once did similar work. "You have to always think about safety, but you never think it will happen to you," he said. "It's devastating for everybody. Every police officer has been on that kind of call," Eiswirth later added. Christine Tell, Regina Police Association president, said she was "horrified" as news of the deaths unfolded. "It just brings home the fact that this job is dangerous -- even when it appears as though it's just a normal, everyday situation. You have to be ever so vigilant all the time." While the slayings had some people pondering the perils of narcotics investigations, Tell said it's the reality of all policing. "There's really a lack of respect for police," she said. The slayings have prompted Ottawa to consider tougher penalties for marijuana grow operations and also renewed debate over decriminalizing marijuana. "It's unfortunate the murder of four police officers causes the government to re-think its position," Tell said. "We at the Canadian Professional Police Association, the national board, have been pushing not to have it decriminalized. Is this what it takes to get them to re-visit the issue?" Eiswirth noted the national association has also been lobbying for stronger tools to deal with grow operations. "Since organized crime has taken over a lot of grow ops, they've become ... more dangerous," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake