POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 31 Truro Police Service PANS in the community continued LYNN CURWIN The Colchester Wire, 2 Feb 2022 ‘It’s time to step aside’ Greg Densmore retires after lengthy career with Truro police Becoming a police officer was something Cpl. Greg Densmore wanted to do since he was very young. He achieved that goal and after 37 years as a member of the Truro Police Service, he recently retired. “Being a police officer was something I was just drawn to,”he said. “It was the right choice. It’s been great here. The town’s been great.” Densmore, who grew up in East Noel and Halifax, studied at Holland College in Prince Edward Island before coming to Truro for his on-the-job training in 1983. He returned the next spring to work with Neighbourhood Watch and became a Truro police officer on June 4, 1984. “I liked walking the beat,”he said. “I got to know all the merchants and clerks in downtown Truro and could stop and talk with anyone.” He appreciates the help he received from experienced officers. “I travelled a lot with Kenny MacLean and Lenny Crowell so they taught me a lot,”he said. “I also learned a lot fromGary Thibodeau and Brian MacDougall. Everyone was really helpful.” During his years on the force, Densmore faced some very difficult experiences. At the age of 21, during his first night shift, he attended the scene of a fatal motor-vehicle accident. “I’ve seen a lot of stuff I don’t want to ever see again,” he said. “One of the most helpful things officers can often do is calm people down. I told young officers, you usually carry 35 pounds of equipment on you, but the best piece of equipment you have is your mouth. When people are yelling, they’re often not yelling at you; they’re yelling at the uniform. If you take time, talking can bring about 95 per cent of them around.” As well as working patrols, Densmore spent time as part of the drug section. He enjoyed making a positive difference when it came to crime, but many special memories are also the result of participating in community activities such as bike rallies and go kart races. He’s seen many changes since joining the service, including moving into a new building and the introduction of new technology. When he first joined, the police radios only reached as far as Hilden; now they can use them to communicate across the province. “I learned enough technology to do the job, but there’s so much more coming. It’s time to step aside and let someone else handle it,” said Densmore. Other factors contributed to his decision to retire including he’s lost some hearing and he has concerns about one shoulder. He suffered two shoulder injuries while working and was told a third injury could cause permanent damage. Because he has accumulated sick time and vacation, Densmore isn’t officially off the books until December, but his last day at work was Jan. 21. He’s now keeping busy on his farm in East Noel, where he has cattle, horses, chickens and goats. He’ll also be spending more time doing things with his five children, ages six to 15. “I’ve always been a home body and East Noel is home to me,” he said. “I’m going to miss the camaraderie with other officers and the interaction with people in the community. I have to get used to being home and not getting up at three in the morning.” SaltWire E-Edition, (pressreader.com) After almost 40 years with the Truro Police Service, Cpl. Greg Densmore has retired. He has many fond memories of his service to, and with the town. continued
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