Meagan Rutledge was still at Georgian College, in the Police Foundations course, when she signed on as a volunteer Auxiliary Police Constable with South Simcoe Police last year.
She was encouraged by then-Staff Sgt. Steve Wilson, who told her about the volunteer program and explained the value of becoming an Auxiliary, for anyone on the path to a career in policing.
“You get a fantastic amount of training,” Rutledge said, noting that the experience of working with South Simcoe Police in the community “has really helped me.”
Every single day out on the road, she said, she is learning, and connecting – “Just engaging with people, building that strong and positive relationship between the public and the police. At the end of the day, we’re here to serve.”
Auxiliary Officers are all volunteers, trained and mandated under the Police Act, who provide at least 12 volunteer hours per month, assisting and supporting uniformed officers.
“South Simcoe is a small police service, and we’re always tight (in terms of the number of officers),” Rutledge said. Having auxiliaries available to ride along on patrols, or relieve uniformed officers at public events like parades, means “we don’t have to take officers off their regular duties.”
She regularly contributes well over the minimum number of hours required each month. December was a “busy time,” with numerous events and volunteer activities. In January alone, she put in 22 unpaid hours, helping out – including a presentation on policing as a career choice, in front of the graduating class at Holy Trinity Catholic High School.
And in February, “I did a lot of ride-alongs as well,” she said, filling in when illness resulted in staffing shortages. “It’s satisfying to know I made a difference.”
The Auxiliary program is invaluable, she said, “when deciding if policing is really something you want to do. It gives you that window on policing.” But her commitment to volunteering goes well beyond career considerations.
“I grew up in Bradford, all my life. It’s just great to be able to have an impact,” Rutledge said. “Just being able to make a difference.”
When she was a student at Holy Trinity, she helped out with the Honda Toy Drive every year, and participated in a variety of fundraising events at the Bradford high school.
And as an Auxiliary Constable, one of the most satisfying activities for her was being part of South Simcoe Police’s Stuff a Cruiser toy drive.
“Being part of our Christmas toy drive was so important to me,” she said. “It’s really, really priceless. It really just makes me so happy to know I am having an impact on my community.”
Rutledge, now 21, recently graduated from Georgian College. Being an Auxiliary Officer, volunteering with South Simcoe Police, has not only provided training in policing, helping her build her communication skills and make new friendships, it has allowed her to continue to “give back” to her community.
“It means a lot to me,” Rutledge said of volunteering. “I think it’s something everyone should consider. It fulfills you!”
