I joined 2 very different groups today

I am grateful to be welcomed to each

I spent most of today in the building in the picture above. It’s the Lincoln Alexander Building on Memorial Drive in Orillia, also known as the General Headquarters of the Ontario Provincial Police, one of the largest law enforcement agencies in North America.

The OPP has more than 5000 sworn officers serving across the province, thousands more civilian staff, and 600 auxiliary officers. They provide local policing in many communities in the province, including most of Essex County where I live, except for Windsor, Amherstburg, and Lasalle.

This morning I was one of a group of new police chaplains sworn in by Deputy Commissioner Chris Harkins. It was part of our onboarding, and preparation to offer spiritual care and support to the women and men of the OPP.

This has been “in the works” for a little over a year. I have waited until it became “official” to write about it here.

Speaking of writing… During a break from one of our sessions today, I checked my email, and saw that I am also now part of another organization. The Writer’s Union of Canada accepted my application to join their ranks.

Speaking of ranks…

At OPP GHQ I was sized for my new dress uniform, which goes with the honorary rank of Inspector. (I did not ask if my uniform name plate could say “Gadget”.)

It made me wonder what the uniform might look like for a member of the Writer’s Union.

That last sentence was a bit cheeky, I admit. I am honoured to be part of both the OPP and the Writer’s Union.