Quick — name two things you know about recently-retired Bonnyville RCMP Victim Services dog Odie.
Ok, maybe that one was a bit of a tough one. How about naming five members of the Bonnyville RCMP detachment?
Still having trouble? Would a set of trading cards with information about the men, women and animals helping to protect the area's population help?
That's the goal of the latest edition of 'Cop Cards', says Bonnyville RCMP Staff Sgt. Sarah Pare, explaining the trading cards now being circulated into the community as a great way for residents to know more about their local RCMP. While the cards are geared towards younger generations, Parke said the campaign benefits the entire community.
"The intention behind them is a way to promote community policing and show the public a different side to the RCMP," said Parke.
The current trading cards feature photos and information about 18 current RCMP members at the detachment, two RCMP Victim Services Unit service dogs and a biography of the detachment building.
Each of the Bonnyville RCMP members are equipped with their own trading cards and are ready to hand them out. The cards contains information about the specific RCMP member, including how long they have been on the job, any specialized training, as well as a community message.
Bonnyville RCMP Corp. Luke Heaver, for example, is originally from Saskatchewan and has been a Mountie since 2016. His message for kids is: "To be a hero, you must choose the right path."
According to another Cop Card, Odie, the recently-retired VSU support dog is a 12-year-old golden Labrador Retriever who started his job at the Bonnyville detachment in 2014 when he was just a pup. He was known for his calming presence and "a talent for seeking out those who needed him most." Current VSU support dog Romeo, a six-year old black Labrador Retriever, joined the detachment in 2020, and has many of those same traits, according to his 'Cop Card' bio.
"Romeo's special skills include his compassion and ability to offer a calming paw and a listening ear to traumatized victims of crime," notes his trading card, going on to say he has "eyes you can say anything to."
The trading cards are available from individual members on patrol in the community and at the detachment.
"The members would like to welcome the public to ask them for a card whenever they see them out and about, when it’s safe to do so," said Parke, explaining the program as a win-win, where residents get to know their local police, and the RCMP members get to meet with local residents.
Get them all and win
This current 2024 Cop Card edition is also being released as part of a community contest, where residents who collect the entire set can win prizes.
"The first three people to attend the detachment and show that they’ve collected the full series will win an awesome prize," said Parke. "The only stipulation is that each officer has to be the one to hand out their own card, so you’ll physically have to see each police officer to have a chance at winning the contest."
The 'Cop Card' program is offered in many RCMP communities across the country. This is the third time in recent years that the Bonnyville detachment has taken part in the campaign.
