1. A nightinthe life of a WRPS Constable
It was a rare glimpse intoourlocal Police force.Youcan’tunderstandeverythingintenhours,butyou
can certainlygeta grasp of some of the everyday situationsdealtwithbythe WaterlooRegional Police
Service.Itwasthe firsttime the service hadeverhadjournalistslive tweetduringtheirride along; the
firsttime it’sbeendone atall,to the bestof the Chief’srecollection.@ericdrozdandmyself,
@hayleyzimakusedthe hashtag#570ride andencourage listenerstofollow along. 5pm– 3 am, it was
quite the ride.
5 o’clockbriefingatCentral DivisiononFrederick StreetinKitchener.Iwasgreetedwarmlyandsatside
by side withmembersof the bravounit.Cst.SharonHavill wassuccinctand knowledgeable.Picturesof
those wantedbythe lawwere passedaround;informationandongoinginvestigationswereupdated.
We followedthe windinggreenlinoleumdowntocellblock –it smelledfaintlyof urine anddisinfectant.
A small cot-like bedwiththinpaddingispushedupagainstone wall,accompaniedbyastainlesssteel
toilet.The barreddoorgapesopenand closeswithadefinitive click.Thisisthe firstpointof entryfor
someone underarrest.Fingerprinting isnow done digitally…Iwastold‘you’dbe amazedathome much
someone’sprintscanchange’sorepeatoffendersare printedandphotographedeverytime theycome
throughthose doors. One officertellsme it’sjarringhow muchsomeone’sappearance canchange
betweenvisits –especiallyif oncrystal meth.She tellsme sadly‘Iwishwe couldshow themhow they
lookedwhenwe firstphotographedthem, maybethenthey’dseethe damage drugsdo.’
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27
20 calls on the go in @CityKitchener. @570News @WRPSToday ride along officially
starts now w/ Cst. Friesen #570ride
Intothe earlyeveningchill we go;Constable Andrew FriesenandI.It wasa newervehicle,only22
hundredKM,roomy andclean.I’ve neversatbeside aC8 rifle before;he assuredme itwasn’tloaded.
Aftersome routine trafficstops,we respondedtothe firstcall.A teenhadbroken‘house rules’by
breachinghisprobation.
Its surreal walkingintoastranger’shome andimmediatelylearningof theirpersonal struggle.The
Fatherwas emotionlessashe spoke of his15 year oldson.His Mother,the boy’sgrandmother,was
there as well,curleduponthe couch anddistraught. She pickedata blanketthrownoverthe couch,
lookingather son,the officer,me.She saidverylittlebutwasclearlyconcerned. He explainedhowhe
was at hiswitsendwithhisyoungsonwho hadbeenintrouble forpossessionof marijuanaand
mischief.The boywastobe home at 5:30 that afternoon,itwas5:50 whenhe arrived…Iwonderedif
Dad was justlookingforanexcuse toget the boy,whowas causingproblemwithhissecondwife,outof
the house.There were 5 of us standinginthe small openconceptarea…anentryway, kitchen andsmall
livingroom. The twoofficersexplainedwhatwouldhappentothe boyif theyplacedhimunderarrest.I
thoughtfor sure dad wouldchange hismind…buthe didn’t.AsImentionedontwitteratthe time,
strange to go up carpetedstairsof a foreignhome inyourboots. The boy wasin hisroom, whichwas
paintedafaded blue.The bedwasunmade,sheetsslungtoone side,the mattressexposed. He was
smallerthan I expected,wearingbaggyjeansanda surprisedlookonhischerubface. Officerstoldhim

2. he was underarrestand walkedhimdownstairs,throughthe emptykitchenandintothe bittercold
night.Hisvoice wayshakyand thickwithtears as he beggedme toget hisfatherto come outside.
Kitchener, Ontario
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27
Hard to see 15 year old kid arrested and brought out of childish bedroom in handcuffs.
Close to tears and asking dad why #570ride
It was tougherthanI expected;more emotional.He wasrightthere,behindwiremeshand Plexiglas,
rightbehindmyleftshoulder.
‘Pease…please misscanyouask mydad to come out…I’ve beenfollowingthe rules…Iwasonlyafew
minuteslate!’
He wentonand on…myhandswere justas tiedas his.I feltlike animposter ashe continuedtoconfide
inme…he hadn’tdone hishomework –but he alsohadn’tskippedschool.He wantedtogo to hisMom’s
for March break,despite the requesttostayinthe area.
There waseventuallyaheartfeltexchangebetweensonanddad,whohad finallycome outside.Isat
quietlyinthe frontseat,staringaheadandtryingto give themprivacy;the officersstoodby,waiting.
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27
'I have problems; I'm sorry. I'm so confused right now. I love you.' Boy sobs to dad 'stop
fighting help offered to you' @WRPSToday #570ride
As the conversationprogressed,itwasobviousdadwasgivingin. Mycompassionslowlychangedto
curiosity:wasthissobbingchildmanipulatingthe situation?I wonderif, one weeklaternow, thatteen
continuestocall that house,home.
Kitchener, Ontario
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27
'Dont thank me thank your dad' @WRPSToday Cst Friesen says and uncuffs teen. Did
not see dad changing his mind. #570ride
Our secondcall,describedas‘violentandbizarre’ wastothe downtownarea.The twostory home had
beenconvertedinto single units,some of whichcontainedindividual roomswhichfeaturedshared
accommodationslike kitchenandbathroom. Twoofficers,threefirstrespondersandmyself walked
downa short hallwaytowardthe soundof a TV blaring…lightflickeredfrombeneathacloseddoor.The
superintendent,whoalsolivesthere,hadplacedthe call.He saidhistenant wasa meandrunk,a sick
diabeticwhodidn’tcontrol hisbloodsugarandwas makingdeaththreats.Ilookedaround; peelingpaint
and chippedwood. Scuffedfloorsanduncoveredelectrical sockets.We entered the small,windowless

3. room where the manwassittingonthe couch in hisunderwearanda t-shirt;there wasn’tmucharound.
A small table withabag of carrots leaningoff toone side,acoffee makersatinthe corner,an ‘exit’sign
proppedupon a shelf.Papersandbagslitteredthe floor,the smell of smoke burnedmyeyesandclung
to my hairlongafterwe were gone. The superwas thin,sickly.Histatteredblue robe wascinchedatthe
waistand he smiledkindlyatme as I helpedhimfindthe blackand white catthat had creptout of his
room anddownthe hall.
He explainedthattheywere friends,these twomen –but onlywhenthe manwasn’tdrinking.He
became meanandabusive,threatening,whenhe drank,he said. Wasthreateningto kill himand
anothertenant.The Supertoldme,ina loud whisperthathe hadstage four cancer andcouldn’tdeal
withthe stress.He wantedthe drunkman out,tonight.
The man, slowto speakandalmostcharminginhis lightheartedresponses,disputed the accusation.He
gloatedwhenhissugarlevelscame backnormal andappearedquite placid. He saidhe hadgone out of
hisway to buygiftsforthe manearlier,includingafryingpanand towel.The supercounteredthe items
were stolen…anotice onhistable provedhe actuallyhadbeenarrestedthat very dayforstealing.
Beside the notice wasabag of marijuanawhichwasconfiscatedbypolice.
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27
Man arrested by @WRPSToday earlier for stealing roast from food basics. Not
malicious; clearly necessity #570ride
Throughthe compassionate andpatientleadof the officers,the neighbourswere eventuallyable to
come to a true.Theyshookonit, althoughshooktheirheadsaswell,aswe parted. Doorswere closedto
theirrespective rooms,andwe saidgoodnight.
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27
That vow did not take long to break. Back to previous call. The diabetic man has
threatened to kill his super @WRPSToday responding #570ride
Minuteslater,we are back. The supersaidthe manhad continuedtomake deaththreats.He was still on
the couch, inhisunderwear.Police askhimtostandand getdressed, they helphimputonpantsand
findhisshoes.
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27
'I have nobody to help me out if I'm away for a while. I want my coat, shoes and money.’
@WRPSToday incredibly kind and patient #570ride
Finally the manisdressedand ledoutside intothe night.He muttersthathe can’t believe he was
arrestedtwice inone dayand that he justwants to stayhome.Much like the boyearlier,he sayshe

4. doesn’tunderstandwhyhe’sintrouble.The superintendentisshiveringinthe coldonthe porch and
wavesas we leave.He closesthe doorbehindhim.
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27
Lights and sirens on @WRPSToday as we respond to high priority call #570ride
The radio blares – reportof twowomen,irate,strange behaviourandincoherent.Possibledruginjection
site.We respondtothe CharlesStreetbusterminal andheadupstairs.The women’sbathroomisfull.3
securityguardsand a fewfirstresponders,plustwoofficerswhohave now arrivedonscene.
One womanisbeingquestionednearastall whenwe arrive,the otherhasbeenstrappeddowntoa
stretcherinthe area outside.Bothstare withvacanteyes,theirwordstumble anddripovereachother
as theirmouthsroll ina continuous chew.One playswithherlippiercingandseemsdazed,confused.
The other,haltinglytriestoexplainwhattheywere doinginthe bathroomstall.One isfrom
Scarborough;the otherfrom Waterloo.Heavydrugsusers,concludesthose onscene.The girlsare not
emaciatedanddrawn,as are most‘junkies’.Infact,theyare clean,well dressedandhave afew hundred
dollarsincash,it’sthe paraphernaliathatgivesthemaway.A large box full of alcohol pads, distilled
waterand needlesinpackages.Officerssurmisethey’ve come here toparty.A bag of a white substance
isfound;it’sbelievedtobe ketamine.EMStransportthe girlstohospital, one toSt. Mary’s,the otherto
Grand River.
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27
So much teamwork; cohesive unit @WRPSToday, first responders & emergency staff.
Addressing crime, mental health/addiction #570ride
I knowwhatwe see inthe movies –cops kickingdown doorsanddrawingtheirguns.Respondingto
robberies andpursuingcriminalsonfoot.Thathappens,of course itdoes - but whatI saw that nightwas
different.
Withglovedhands,officerssweptthe floorandcrevicesforrogue needles.Theygatheredpersonal
possessionsinagarbage bag anddeliveredthemtothe owners.Theyspoke withhospital staff andtried
to identifythe womanwithnoidentificationonher.Theyassuredherthatyes,herphone was in her
coat pocket,andyes,her friendwasgoingtobe fine.The lolling,raggedgirl I’dmetearlierwasdifferent
laterthat nightinhospital.
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27

5. Sobered girl tearfully thanks @WRPSToday Cst. who kindly spoke of poor life choices &
second chances for suspected ketamine user #570ride
It’swell after1 am whenwe leave the hospital.Bothgirlsare soberingupandno longera dangerto
themselvesoranyone else.We respondtoone more call before callingitanight.
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27
Responding to unknown disturbance; possible intruder & struggle @WRPSToday
responding Ottawa st north area #lights #sirens #570ride
That intruderturnsout to be a 19 year oldOakville girl –the struggle,anemotionallychargedanddrunk
fightbetween herandherboyfriend.
Dishesare still dryingonthe counteras we speakwiththe youngman inthe kitchen.He’sexhausted
and neartears,and justwantsto go to sleep,he explainsoverandover.
Kitchener, Ontario
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27
Young lovers will not be waking next up to each other tomorrow morning. She sobs on
the floor; he wells up in kitchen #570ride
The Constable,bitbybit,piecesthe guy’sstorytogether.They’dbeenoutdrinking,she became jealous
overanothergirl and theygot intoan argument.He saysshe has hiswalletandcell phone,whichshe
deniestothe officergettingherside of the story.
The guy isin hisearly20’s, he says he had run to the police stationearliertogethelpas he wantedher
to leave.A struggle ensuedandshe endedupforcingherwayin.Officersbrieflyconsiderlettingher
sleepinthe basement,ashe suggests,butquicklyrecognize theywilllikelybe calledbackshortly.
The pair had initiallytoldofficerstheywerealone inthe house –before he casuallymentionshis29year
oldstep-brotherupstairs.Ifeelmystomachturn.The Constable I’mwithblinksandconfirmswhat
we’ve justheard.A thirdOfficerhasarrivedandgoes upstairstospeakwiththe unknownindividual.
I mentionthistoCst.Friesenduringthe ride home,the shockIfeltwhenIlearnedwe were not‘alone’in
the home,as originallythought.Itmade me thinkof how quicklythingscanchange.That couple was
drunkand young,small instature andobedient. The sleepystepbrotherwasdeemedtobe noriskat all.
Imagine though,if the couple wasvolatile –if an assaulthad takenplace,if someone gotseriouslyhurt.

6. If there were childrenhome.Imagine - if ahulkingalmost-30yearold man hadrusheddownthat
windingstaircase andgotteninvolved,hadthreatened;hadbeenphysical.If he hada weapon.How
quicklythe situationcanchange,howquicklylivescanbe onthe line.
I wantedtowrite and share thiswhile mymemoryisstill freshandmyadmiration stillsharp.The next
time I heara ‘cops and doughnutsjoke’I’llknow how torespond.We didstopat Tim Horton’stwice
duringthat 10 hour overnightshift.And,Iendedupdrinkingtwo coldcoffees…becausethere isalways
goingto be someone indistress. Andwhenthatcall comesin,theygo.Rightaway.Immediately.WhatI
saw duringthatshiftwassomeone justasfocusedat 3 am as he was at 5 o’clockinthe afternoon.
Someone wholistenedandlearned;whotreatedeverypersonandsituationasimportantandwhowas
proudto serve andprotect.We’re in goodhands,WaterlooRegion.
Kitchener, Ontario
Hayley Zimak@HayleyZimak
·
Feb 27
Heading back to central after a long and enlightening experience w/ @WRPSToday. A
little empathy & care goes a long way #570ride