THUNDER BAY – Const. Ryan Dougherty is more than ready to begin his policing career.
One of the eight newest Thunder Bay Police Service officers, Dougherty spent the last five years working toward his goal of becoming an officer, which was finally realized on Monday.
Dougherty, Connor Dunnill, Nathan Gunn, Robert Jarzebinski, Adam Josefchak, Micah Ledua, Brenna Pugh and Tanner Symonds all took their oaths and received their badges in front of their friends, families and police leadership at the Thunder Bay Courthouse.
“It’s an exciting time for me, my family and all my fellow officers,” said Dougherty, who was born and raised in Thunder Bay and served as a special constable and cadet within the force during the last two years.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, three months away from my family at school. It’s come to a great end.”
Dougherty and Jarzebinski were given an extracurricular preview of their new line of work while away at the Ontario Police College. The pair were in a London, Ont. gun store when they noticed somebody steal a firearm from the counter.
“We gave chase but we disengaged the chase when they raced away in a car, almost running us over,” Dougherty said. “I just reverted back to the training we had received at the Ontario Police College. Breathe. I did have tunnel vision when I was chasing the person.”
The two were able to get the vehicle’s licence plate and call it in to 911, leading to the vehicle being located that night. Four days later, police found the suspect and recovered the gun later that day.
Dougherty said he’s looking forward to getting through three months of coaching with a mentor officer and has a particular interest in traffic, though he would like to join some specialty units during his career.
The incoming class of eight officers is the largest single intake for Thunder Bay police, which typically has between one to four new officers during each round.
Deputy chief Ryan Hughes said the addition of the new officers helps address recommendations for more frontline resources.
Hughes, participating in his first swearing in ceremony since being appointed second-in-command earlier this month, is confident the eight officers will do well in their new roles.
“It’s always nice to have new perspectives. There’s a variety of ages and experiences. It’s nice for that to be brought into the service,” Hughes said.
“I learn from new officers, they learn from us. It’s always a learning experience with new blood. We’re always an evolving police service so we’re growing with the community and it strengthens our service as we move on.”
Ontario Court Justice Elaine Burton, who presided over the ceremony, urged the new officers to remember that their new power comes with great responsibility.
“Policing requires dedication, courage, patience and compassion,” Burton said, cautioning the constables that they will be expected to behave in an exemplary manner in the face of adversity, requiring the exercise of restraint and sound judgement.
“Part of policing involves developing a relationship of trust with members of the public, individually and collectively as a community. That relationship extends to individual police officers and the police service as a whole.”
