Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Ontario Provincial Police has reached a milestone of half a century of female police officers and locally, one cop decided to put her thoughts to paper to pay tribute.
Randi Crawford is the Oxford detachment’s community safety and media relations officer and the overwhelming pride she feels to be an OPP officer led her to write ’50 Years Proud.’
“I was trying to think of what I could say to capture this. It’s a remarkable thing. I went back to my grade 11 English days and thought I could write a poem. I sat down and wrote it in maybe 20 or 25 minutes.”
She added it just flowed from pen to paper because of the immense pride she has in her role with the OPP and being a woman in policing.
“It was to thank those women who came before me and to celebrate those I am with now and also to pave the way for the those coming in the future.”
Crawford is regularly out in the Oxford community at various events and the Gazette asked her if she has girls and young women coming up to her and asking what it’s like to be a police officer.
“You gave me goosebumps by asking that question. One of the reasons I took the community safety and media relations role was because I love talking to people about this career. I try to make myself available to anyone who has questions.”
She added females from elementary school age up to adults ask her what it’s like and what they have to do to join the ranks.
“I am also a recruiting ambassador for the organization and I want to get as many people hired as possible and everyone has such a unique skillset they can bring to the role.”
As to her future with the Ontario Provincial Police, Crawford said she is focusing on her current position for now but there are many opportunities to advance in the future.
“I am loving what I am doing so I haven’t thought too far down the road. One thing I do say in the poem is women are in so many different roles in the OPP and that’s exciting.”
The Gazette asked Crawford where she sees her career going with the force. She explained there are women in a number of command roles, something she now sees as an opportunity.
“50 years ago, I wouldn’t have had as many options to choose from and now because they are endless it’s hard for me to give you an answer.”
On Oct. 30, the OPP unveiled a new mural at an event for members to honour the anniversary at its General Headquarters in Orillia. On May 27, 1974, 15 women reported for training to the OPP Academy and one month later, they were counted among the OPP's provincial constable graduates. By the end of that year, 39 women had been selected to serve. Over the last 50 years, close to 2,500 female recruits have been sworn in.
There are a total of 97 officers in total at the Oxford OPP and 30 of those are women.
“We have other wonderful roles here like our administrative clerks, special constables in our court office and auxiliary officers so there are women in those roles as well, explained Crawford, who added the first uniform for female officers wasn’t exactly conducive to the job.
“The first women graduates wore skirts, blouses, heeled shoes and they carried a purse with a built-in holster,” explained Crawford. “They soon discovered the women were not able to perform their duties so very shortly afterwards they were given uniforms closer to what the men were wearing. Today we wear the exact same equipment.”
Crawford is approaching her 12th year of policing after leaving her first career as a physical and occupational therapist. She explained it was time for a change and a new way to make a difference.
“I was helping people and without sounding like a cliché, I helped people in health care but I wanted to do even more. My daughter at that time was 11 and I had a goal of creating the safest Ontario I could for her. What better way to do that than become a police officer.”
She explained the roles and responsibilities officers present are endless.
“We provide safety for all our communities in Ontario. That is such an honour but its also a big responsibility and an amazing accomplishment.”
Frontline officers work shifts and Crawford readily admitted police is a career where family support is necessary, especially when children are involved.
“Everyone questioned me. My husband, mom, sister and my friends. I told them I had a humungous drive to do this. I wanted to give as much of myself to the community as possible and I was willing to take the risks involved to keep you all safe.”
Provincial Police detachments across the province have recently held recruitment events in the hopes of getting more people interested in a policing career, and that includes women. Crawford explained there are several reasons people have doubts about joining the ranks.
“Sometimes I think people are hesitant because they have younger children and they aren’t sure how to make a career change. Childcare is a big concern but when we talk about equity, it’s not just women taking care of the kids any more. It’s becoming much more even in our generation.”
By 2005 the number of women in the OPP stood at 15 per cent and today that figure has jumped to 21.5 per cent.
Crawford has given the Gazette permission to use her email address, Randi.Crawford@opp.ca, so anyone interested in a career in policing can reach out.
“I see (The Gazette) as an ally. You really want to see the best for our community. You are out there and want to showcase these types of stories. Maybe it will reach a young girl who is 16 and isn’t sure what she wants to do. Maybe this story will help her say hey, I do want to do this or at least ask about it.”
Comments