For the first time in recent memory, the St. Thomas Police Service will hold an official Change of Command ceremony. It will see Chief Marc Roskamp assume command from Chief Chris Herridge.
myFM spoke at length with Chief Roskamp this week about what residents can expect with the new leadership. He stressed the approaches and policies of the service will continue to be reflective of the diverse community. In addition, recruitment practices will continue to champion the values of equality, diversity and social inclusion.
He’s a 25-year veteran of the St. Thomas Police Service with 16 years in uniform patrol before moving up to the Criminal Investigation Branch and then being appointed Deputy Chief in 2018.
Roskamp credits Herridge and the chiefs immediately prior, advising he will take pages from their playbooks as the new hand on the helm.
“I’ve learned so much from those who have come before me and I will take a page or two from every one of their playbooks.
“It’s quite a lineup.”
“Our efforts will be laser-focussed on a balanced, collaborative undertaking with our partners in the community, encouraging more social connectedness to the available resources that can support those who need and want assistance.”
Roskamp pointed out that in recent years, there has been a shift in the types of crime and disorder issues present in the city.
“Socioeconomic impacts have manifested in many cities . . . and St. Thomas has not been immune to these challenges,” noted Roskamp.
He continued, “Our efforts will be laser-focussed on a balanced, collaborative undertaking with our partners in the community, encouraging more social connectedness to the available resources that can support those who need and want assistance.”
He assured, “Our approaches will be rooted in compassion, supporting individuals to become healthier in society.”
Roskamp made it clear that the path forward is not in siloed sectors.
“If we are healthy on the inside, we will be healthy to deliver services on the outside.”
In today’s society, suggested Roskamp, police have been increasingly responsible for much more than the core-functions of public safety.
“Officers are increasingly expected to solve a variety of problems that develop in the community. This ever-expanding role of the police has had a negative impact on officers themselves, many of whom have attested to having too much on their plate.”
What is clearly evident is the majority of issues police respond to “have minor criminal elements, if any, and are typically related to quality-of-life issues.”
Roskamp pointed out that as police chief, “it will be a primary objective of mine to continue advocating for local supports to ensure that members of the St. Thomas Police Service are not expected to engage in social work and healthcare to the extensive levels we do today.
“The appropriate trained professionals must be activated to address non-public safety matters.”
As was the case under the leadership of Chief Herridge, one of Roskamp’s main priorities will be to build up the resiliency of members of the police service.
“If we are healthy on the inside, we will be healthy to deliver services on the outside.”
“It is my commitment to ensure that we continue to turn every interaction we have with a member of the public into an opportunity to improve trust and confidence in the services we provide.”
He continues, “Equally important to community wellness is how our members feel coming to work every day. Have we done all that we can to ensure our members feel safe and valued in their work environment?”
For Roskamp, a worrisome – and growing – trend is the aggression playing out against police in recent months.
He noted the recent murders of nine police officers in Canada over the past eight months.
This conversation with Roskamp was prior to the shooting death of OPP Sgt. Eric Mueller and the wounding of two other officers on Thursday near Ottawa.
“These unyielding trends have adjusted the collective heart of policing in ways that have affected the wellness of police officers and civilian support personnel. Unlike any other time in the past, there is an evolving need to review, adjust and create systems to ensure a cultural transformation can begin with a strong focus on member wellness.”
The success of the police service comes down to a single question, advised Roskamp.
“Does our community trust us?”
He continued, “It is my commitment to ensure that we continue to turn every interaction we have with a member of the public into an opportunity to improve trust and confidence in the services we provide.
“This has been and will continue to be a foundational mindset for our police service.”
On a personal note, Roskamp left no doubt he is “honoured and humbled to have been appointed to lead the St. Thomas Police Service as the next Chief of Police.”
He expects anywhere from three to four hundred people to attend the Change of Command ceremony.
Proudly watching will be his father.
“My father was a police officer in Chatham and, coincidently, he retired as the chief of police for the Chatham Police Service.
“So this is quite an honour, both personally and professionally, for myself and my family.
“My research tells me it is rare to have a father and then a son reach the office of chief.”
