14 Weekend, December 2-4, 2016
Calgary
police
Concerns rise over sergeant’s promotion Lucie Edwardson
Metro | Calgary
As the Calgary Police Service grapples with issues of bullying and harassment within their ranks; some members are concerned with the promotion of individuals who have denied a negative culture exists within the force. Recently, Sgt. Jodi Gach was one of four female CPS officers
who spoke with media about how she feels the individuals raising concerns within the organization are too sensitive and entitled. Since speaking out, Gach has been promoted from sergeant to staff sergeant, which has some members worried — how will they bring concerns to someone who has dismissed their negative experiences? Former CPS detective Marlene Hope, who has acted as the spokeswoman for many officers
who claim to have been bullied and harassed, said the promotion is problematic. “I don’t know too many people who would feel comfortable approaching her about abuse they might have suffered after what she has said publicly,” said Hope. Attempts were made through CPS to communicate with Staff Sgt. Gach. Those attempts were not successful. Chief Roger Chaffin said this is something the service is working on, but struggling with.
“It’s understanding that sometimes people will want to parade out the happy people and say things are healthy. But, we really need to start helping those people who don’t have that voice and don’t feel that empowered, or don’t have those opportunities,” he said. “If the only way you can come forward is by speaking with the person you just complained about, who just got promoted, then you would just throw your hands up and say ‘I’m done.’”
Nikola Rosic, 9, has his Calgary Flames jersey signed by Dougie Hamilton at Monsignor J.S. Smith Elementary School on Thursday. Jennifer Friesen/Metro
He shoots, he reads!
calgary flames
Hockey stars encourage students to pick up a book Jennifer Friesen For Metro
Amidst high fives and a few rambunctious shrieks, a pintsized “C of red” pledged to give reading a shot. Students at Monsignor J.S. Smith Elementary School were joined by three Calgary Flames players on Thursday to launch a hockey-fuelled reading initiative. The incentive program, called Reading…Give it a Shot!, launched more than two decades ago. With the chance to win jerseys, game tickets and visits from players, school-aged children are awarded a hockey card every time they complete 100 minutes of reading. “When they see their favourite stars reading, they feel total incentive to read as well,” said Din Ladak, president and CEO of TEPF. “They relate to the sport, they relate to the players, they relate to fame and they also relate to the equality of it —
because everybody has access to reading and they just have to get the right spark to do that.” Harvey the Hound, the Flames’ centreman Freddie Hamilton and defencemen Deryk Engelland and Dougie Hamilton entered the gym to sign autographs for the jerseyclad crowd and talked to them about reading. The players ran in, highfiving the students, and offered some advice and a few book recommendations themselves (including Engelland’s shoutout to the classic Green Eggs and Ham). Kylen Aiken, 13, is an avid hockey player and fan, and he brought his Flames jersey to school on Thursday to be signed by Dougie Hamilton. He has seven hockey cards to date, but says he wants to keep reading to get more. “I think it encourages more kids to read,” said Aiken. “Because it’s with the Flames so we’re excited to meet them and see what they have to say about it.”
I think it encourages more kids to read. Kylen Aiken, 13