It is lucky day 13 at the Olympics. I have to
admit that I have become a bit of an Olympic junkie. If I am
not watching the games then I am anxiously awaiting updates
and photos from IAWP members about what they are seeing and
doing at the Olympics. I am also becoming more and more
envious as they are having a great time while serving their
departments, and Canada, with pride and enthusiasm.
Yesterday I received an update from Atlantic Women in
Law Enforcement President, and RCMP Constable, Paula Raymond.
Paula has left the east coast for beautiful Pender Island on
the west coast. Pender is one of the Southern Gulf Islands off
the coast of Victoria, about a half hour from Sidney, B.C., by
boat.
And speaking of boats.......
Paula at the controls of one the vessels used in the Shiprider program.
Paula is working out of Pender Island on the Shiprider
program. This is a joint partnership between Canadian police
and the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct marine security patrols in
the waters between the Canadian and U.S. boarders, in and
around the waters and islands off the Gulf Islands on the B.C.
coast and the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington.
Paula is one of three female RCMP officers in this program.
Here is more from Paula, in her own words:
On the patrol vessels, which are rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs
- as pictured below), we have crews from both agencies conduct
patrols in the area. The patrols are going well, with a lot of
presence and visibility being shown to travellers. We conduct
boardings and vessel checks and for the most part the public
has been very supportive of the increased security in the
area.
The weather has been excellent overall, with only a few shifts
having high winds and large waves. Luckily this was not when I
was working. The climate here is incredibly different, much
more mild, than the east coast of Canada. There is no snow,
not even in Vancouver, and everything is green. Temperatures
are hovering around 8 degrees Celsius during the day. The
trees are budding and the daffodils are blooming. Sure feels
like spring is in the air.
On my first trip to Vancouver I met with up Myra James and
Margaret Shorter!
As for the Olympics, I attended the Opening Ceremony and a
women's hockey game (Canada vs. Sweden) with Myra. I have also
experienced the atmosphere of Robson Square in the downtown
area. In the next few days I'll be going to the women's hockey
medal games and the Closing Ceremony, again with Myra.
I leave for home on March 1st.
Paula
IAWP At the Olympics 2010






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