Vic PD recognized for reservist support

Chief Constable Frank Elsner accepts the certificate of recognition for being a supportive employer of reservists. Skip Triplett, Regional Director of the CFLC Vancouver Island, presented the certificate. Major Brendan Le Blanc, nominator of the award, observes the presentation.

The Victoria Police Department’s unwavering loyalty to military reservist employees was honored this March 31, when the Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC) presented senior police leadership with a formal certificate of recognition for employer support.

Dr. Skip Triplett and John Appleby, regional directors of the CFLC, thanked the Victoria Police Department for upholding their longstanding tradition to enable employees in the reserves to attend their frequent training sessions and commitments.

Reserve members currently employed by the police department must juggle their training requirements with their workloads. Ongoing reserve training can occur on weekends and occasionally on weekdays.

Reservists may also be called upon unexpectedly to deploy for extended periods of time, for situations such as responding to natural disasters and other emergency situations.

As such, reserve employees must be ready to place their work duties on hold when their city, province, or country, needs their help.

Dr. Triplett emphasized the responsibilities of a reservist can stretch their time and energy thin, meaning they require additional assistance from their employers to succeed both at work and in the military.

“Sir Winston Churchill believed that reservists are twice the citizen, because they are constantly balancing a military career with a civilian life. But I like to say they are three times the citizen, because most of them have families too, and that’s a whole other role,” said Dr. Triplett.

The CFLC encourages employers to be flexible and accommodating when working with a reservist.

For the CFLC, the Victoria Police Department has succeeded in this supportive role, having developed a policy that promotes the development of reservists by facilitating absences from their civilian duties.

“Senior management and patrol supervisors at the Victoria Police Department have ensured that all of the current and previously serving reservists are able to get away from the organization, worry free, in order to complete their training,” Dr. Triplett said.

Reservists at the police department have been cleared to attend multiple deployments to Sudan and Afghanistan, and when training takes an employee away from their unit or desk job, the police department goes without the manpower.

Additionally, the medical benefits of reservists, and their seniority, are maintained during their absences.

“There is a strong feeling amongst reservists who work for the Victoria Police Department that their military endeavours are viewed as important and whole,” said Dr. Triplett.

Chief Constable Frank Elsner accepted the certificate and acknowledged that hiring a reservist employee is beneficial for the Victoria Police Department as well.
“One thing the police department really values is leadership, and the other thing is giving back to the community. The reservists accomplish both of those things,” he said.

“So what we get back from the forces is huge for us, and we’re very happy to keep supporting.”  

The Canadian Forces Liaison Council is a national network of over two hundred senior business executives and educational leaders, a full-time Secretariat and a national network of Reserve officers.

The Council’s mandate is to enhance the availability of reservists for their military duties by obtaining the support and co-operation of organization leaders in Canada.

Rachel Lallouz
Staff Writer