New chaplain at Timmins Police Service to provide spiritual back up when needed
When a Timmins Police Service employee needs to call for spiritual back-up, Deacon David Smith will be there.
"He’s at the ready," said Marc Depatie, communications coordinator for the Timmins Police Service. "We’ve made it clear within our own internal intranet site that he is at the disposal of officers to call upon at any hour within reason of course so that their needs are being met."
The deacon is the newly appointed Chaplain for the Service and he will provide confidential spiritual guidance to anyone who requests it--regardless of religious affiliation, practice or beliefs. He is replacing Monsignor Pat Lafleur who retired in June.
"I said do you really think I can do this and he said I wouldn’t be asking you if I didn’t think you could," reflected Smith.
This isn't the first time Smith has donned a police uniform. He served as a sworn officer for one year in 1973. He said it wasn't for him, but this role feels right.
"I look at myself as being a listening ear ... You want to talk? I’ll listen to you. I think that’s important. It makes them feel a little more secure and maybe positive in how things are going in their lives. They’re not alone," said Smith.
Depatie said the deacon's obligations will vary from providing workplace stress support, performing religious ceremonies, counselling for all personnel and their families to visiting members in crisis.
Depatie said employee assistance programs and peer support options continue to be offered and although, the deacon is not a licensed councillor, he is another shoulder to lean upon, especially during this exceptional time.
"COVID does not make our job any easier and still our officers are going to an increasing number of perhaps domestics; other forms of discord going on. It can be mentally taxing," said Depatie. "Perhaps a given officer might be of a more religious point of view or take greater value out of having their spiritual needs met as opposed to their mental health needs."
"They want to have somebody they can see and to relate to rather than just a screen on a phone or the computer and I think that’s probably the most important thing is the one-on-one," added Smith.
As someone with extensive life experience, Smith said he will also listen to people who need to get things off their minds when it comes to substance abuse, family issues and financial stress.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.