The Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers – Canada (FCPO) is very concerned with the suicide rate of police officers. On July 3rd at Toronto Police Service (TPS) headquarters, the FCPO will launch a new project in an effort to give hope and help to peace officers managing the unique demands and rigors of the job.
FCPO will be distributing free copies of Peacemakers, a pocket-sized book that contains books of the Christian bible, to Canadian peace officers. The book, which includes the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs, is designed to appeal to people working in law enforcement. It includes pages of personal stories written by police officers and chaplains, with topics such as: suicide; substance abuse; and, helping police families deal with stress.
As part of the initiative, dubbed Project Sword, FCPO is offering Peacemakers for free to all interested peace officers, beginning with the TPS, followed by similar proactive offerings at police services across Canada, as funding permits.
“Like many people, I draw on faith as part of my coping strategy in times of crisis. This book contains scriptures that are relevant for today’s policing environment and the personal articles written by police officers also resonate with me. I’m sure they will benefit many of my colleagues,” says Sergeant Jesse Weeks, an officer with the Toronto Police Service.
In addition to using traditional professional supports for mental well-being, these books will give the peace officer family, which includes all those designated as such by the Criminal Code (correctional officers, CBSA, fish and wildlife officers, etc.), hope, courage, and wisdom as they protect and serve in communities across Canada.
“I was a police officer with the TPS for 28 years and I wish I had such a book when I was serving,” says Dino Doria, who retired from policing in 2003 and is now the FCPO director for Ontario. “Modern police officers are well trained and equipped, but I believe they also need to tend to their personal mental and spiritual health.”
The FCPO is calling upon Canadians to support this project. Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible donation in support of the project can donate online at https://fcpocanada.com/donate.html
For more information, please contact:
Chief Superintendent Ronald Mostrey (Rtd.), President, FCPO – Canada
ron@fcpocanada.com | 604-200-3276 | www.fcpocanada.com