'Volunteers for a better community'
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Volunteers for a better community.
That’s the motto of the Oxford County OPP auxiliary unit and one that its members live out every day.
As volunteers, auxiliary officers take part in monthly training to provide them with the necessary knowledge, procedures and resources required in the auxiliary force.
There are currently 35 members of the auxiliary unit with the Oxford County OPP, including one staff sergeant, four sergeants and 30 constables – across a wide range of age, who either work full-time or are enrolled in school full-time.
Approximately 15 of those auxiliary members recently underwent specialized training at the Tillsonburg Fire Hall.
“Tonight they’re getting some special training with the canine unit out of western region,” said constable Stacey Culbert of the Oxford County OPP. “We have our regular ERT members - the Emergency Response Team that are going to assist with some exercises as well.”
Ongoing training for auxiliary members includes self-defense, Canadian law, search and rescue, weapons use, handcuffing and arrest procedures, how to assist at a scene or in a particular situation and working with the canine unit.
In addition, they accompany OPP constables on regular patrols every month throughout Oxford County and right here in Tillsonburg.
“It’s a great understanding for them. These auxiliary members are volunteering their time, assisting with events, and going out on the road with the officers,” said Culbert.
Jerry Acchione joined the auxiliary unit six years ago.
“I always wanted to get into policing when I was younger. Now I’ve got a very good profession which I love, so the auxiliary is a perfect venue to experience policing and give back to the community. We do extensive training, we’re out in the community and we show our presence.”
Acchione is the community events coordinator for the auxiliary unit and said members often attend events such as parades, community shows, police campaigns such as a seat belt drive, as well as attend school functions and presentations.
Members of the Oxford County OPP auxiliary unit have a significant role to play in helping keep the community safe, educating the public and volunteering their time in different areas of the community.
“Our role is very important. We interact with the public and educate the public. We’re always front and centre and we enjoy that,” Acchione said.
Staff sergeant and unit commander for the auxiliary force, Dave Mitchell said members are given a hands-on, practical look at policing.
“It’s an opportunity to step up, look at the auxiliary and see what policing is all about in the OPP environment,” said Mitchell. “It also gives the OPP a chance to see what auxiliary members have to offer.”
Mitchell said the auxiliary unit, much like the regular OPP force, is a very involved and very competitive organization.
“You have to go through an extensive interview process just to get in - including an aptitude test and a psychological test.”
Auxiliary members are required to volunteer a minimum of ten hours a month. However, many go above and beyond that standard.
“We have a balance between community service events, training and patrols each month,” said Mitchell. “So there’s a good combination of everything we have to do in a month. It’s like a mirror between the regular force and the auxiliary unit.”
Both Acchione and Mitchell attribute their success as auxiliary members and their enjoyment in volunteering with the unit, to sergeant George Musikov, liaison officer between the Oxford County OPP and the auxiliary force.
“We’re very lucky to have him,” said Mitchell. “He’s very knowledgeable and willing to teach. He goes out of his way to make sure all of his auxiliary members are properly trained and well versed.”
Acchione agreed. “Nothing would get done without Sergeant George Musikov. We all look up to him - he’s very well liked and highly respected.”
Being an auxiliary member with the Oxford County OPP means giving back to the community, actively participating in events, being a role model for residents and sharing in the responsibility to the community with regular OPP officers.
“We know that they’re highly-trained, motivated people. The auxiliary officers contribute every single time,” said Culbert. “These are people that are here for the right reasons.”