POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 19 PANS in the community Bridgewater Police Servicecontinued "When I working in the classroom I saw there were students slipping through certain parts of the system's cracks. The people who were dealing with them all the time were the local police." He credits officer Robbie Costello, as one of the ones that helped him fill out the paper work to attend the Atlantic Police Academy. After one year at the academy he graduated, receiving his graduation certificate on a Friday and went to work the following Monday morning at 7 a.m. in Bridgewater where he performed on the job training. He started on the job in 2007 and within his second year he began his first stint as CSRO. CHANGES Creamer says the needs of the students have changed "greatly." "Once drugs come into a community, it's very hard to counteract that, combat it and educated on it, because there's a level of addiction," he said. "But I have seen changes in the types of drugs that are used from a decade ago. They are now more on the prescription side of things, what people would identify as harder drugs." He said a number of students seem to be more willing to share their prescription medicine with others, maybe for those dealing with things like anxiety, because they may not have their own prescription. Creamer said they are really working at educating students that this is not okay, because everyone's chemistry is different and reactions are different. The other difference is the increase of the sharing and distribution of intimate images online, something that potentially could connect into the world of human trafficking. He said this is where relationship-building with the students is important. SUCCESSFUL? "I feel that the program has been successful. I think my ability though is only there because of the students. If they want me part of their world and I'm showing up every day and doing my best to be a part of the world by actively listening, then doing something, they're going to keep telling me what to do next," he said. He has also been involved in extracurricular activities in the schools and has helped coach the junior basketball team, which is something he enjoys and again, opens another line of communication with the students. FROMTHE CHIEF "Will is very good at his job. No matter what demographic the kids are coming from, or involved in, whether it's cars or sports, he's there and approachable and the kids seem to magnate towards him," said Chief Scott Feener of the Bridgewater Police Force. "Most of the kids know who he is and that he's approachable and they are able to have an open dialogue with him in regards to anything." Feener said the SSRO program began in 2007 when the provincial government were providing resources for funding towards specialized resources to the municipalities. Bridgewater received money towards this program and the Street Crime Enforcement Unit. "We see it as an advantage to our current level of policing and it has various roles depending on which school he is at," said Feener. At the elementary school, he is working on preventative measures and building rapport. At the junior high level, it is much the same with some speaking and a little enforcement. In high school, there is a bit more enforcement needed dealing with complaints, criminal code matters, assaults, bullying, mental health calls and general assistance and advice. "It's all about showing the younger generation that the police are approachable and they should never be scared of the police," said Feener. "If they have problems they can come up and talk to a police officer." FROMTHE SCHOOL Deanna Rawding, principal at Bridgewater Junior High School, said that Creamer is extremely good with the students. "He builds relationships with them and finds out their likes and dislikes. He's in our school everyday, a lot of times during lunch, because it's here that he can interact with the kids and just have everyday conversations," she said, adding that you can find him on the playground, in the hallways, eating lunch with the kids or giving out handshakes in the lobby. Creamer's role is mainly educational, "when we need his support in an education piece you can really see that experience come out. He just wants to help the students learn and make good choices," she said. LIGHTHOUSENOW E-Edition (www.lighthousenow.ca)
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