THUNDER BAY – Paul Karpowich has gone from stopping hockey pucks to now trying to stop crime.
Karpowich and Amanda Zappitelli are the newest constables with the Thunder Bay Police Service after being officially sworn in to their new careers at a ceremony held Friday at the Thunder Bay Courthouse.
The 28-year-old Karpowich was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2008 and had a brief professional career following four years at New York’s Clarkson University.
But Thunder Bay always remained home.
“It’s pretty close to being on a team,” Karpowich said of policing.
“I loved playing hockey but I knew from when I was younger that I always wanted to be a police officer. I had a very good childhood here and it’s somewhere I wanted to spend the rest of my life. I think having the opportunity to give back to the community that gave so much to me, it just made sense to choose policing.”
Both of the new constables spent the last two years as cadets within the police force working the front desk of the Balmoral Street station.
That experience proved to be good training for what they’ll encounter as officers, Karpowich said.
“Every day you deal directly with people. At the desk, you have people coming through that door constantly and calling constantly that are looking for your advice and your help,” Karpowich said.
“It’s a good step in the right direction for when it comes to actually getting out on the road.”
The pair also spent three months training at the Ontario Police College in Aylmer.
Zappitelli said the pursuit of her policing career has been a hard road.
“They only want the best of the best,” Zappitelli said. “It’s been a long time coming.”
For Zappitelli, the motivation to enter law enforcement came from a desire to make a difference.
“I love people,” Zappitelli said. “I just want to help. I just want to do the right thing. I’ve always been that person and I’m teaching my kids to always do the right thing.”
Ultimately she wants to be seen as more than just a uniform, Zappitelli said.
“I want people to see us, not be afraid of us and come to us when they need us,” she said.
