The power of volunteering can mobilize people to address the challenges and issues we face in our communities. The following stories demonstrate the collective efforts of our EPS members to give back to the community, but in very different ways.
DRUMMING UP SUPPORT The Pipes and Drums of the Edmonton Police Service are proud representatives of the City of Edmonton, Alberta, and Canada. They have a storied past dating back to 1914. The band provides music and goodwill to the citizens of Edmonton, surrounding communities and beyond. The EPS Pipes and Drums have thirty members including EPS serving and retired police officers, one member of the RCMP and one member of the Canadian Armed Forces. In recent years, the band has traveled extensively throughout Western Canada and the United States. In 2003 and 2004 they traveled to Europe to participate in the opening of the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France as well as the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. In addition to acting as an ambassador for the Service at military functions and ceremonies, the band plays at numerous community functions, parades, and non-profit events in and around the Edmonton area. They have led the annual Capital Ex Parade (formerly the Klondike Days parade) almost every year since 1962. The band also hosts an annual Robbie Burns dinner and dance in January.
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An annual highlight for the band is a weeklong gift of Christmas concerts that are performed for seniors at hospitals throughout Edmonton. The annual tradition began in 1972 to celebrate Christmas with the city’s hospitalized senior citizens. These concerts are a highlight for the hundreds who join in song and Christmas cheer as the band plays its Christmas music, highland style. The Pipes and Drums do not charge any fee for their musical performances. Funds received through donations are used for the maintenance of instruments and the replacement of uniforms. The police officers who comprise the band are true ambassadors to the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Police Service.
EDMONTON LISTENERS FIND COP TALK QUITE ARRESTING It’s been three years, and Acting Detective Pat Tracy of the EPS Elder Abuse Education Team and co-host of the increasingly popular Cop Talk show on 630 Ched, says doing the radio show is a dream come true. Ever since he can remember he has been hooked on talk radio. He never thought that one day he would be able to combine his two passions, policing and media, on Edmonton’s number one listened to radio station. He shares those same passions with his co-host, Acting Sergeant Aubrey Zalaski of the EPS Traffic Section. In fact, he says when they went on the air three years ago the producers of the show hoped that Aubrey and Pat would clash on issues, and they do. However, he says they tend to agree more than they disagree. Pat can’t
GOING THE DISTANCE
GOOD WORK AND GOOD WILL