The North Bay Police Service participated in the ever-growing ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Tuesday afternoon after accepting a welcoming challenge from their neighbours at the Fire Department. Photo by Colby Clarke.
It's a challenge that has once again sparked the friendly rivalry between the two organizations.
“It is just that, a friendly rivalry,” said Acting Chief, Shawn Devine. “There’s that definite competition between both departments through sports as well, but with this, the competition is for a great cause. It brings both organizations some public awareness so it’s all good.”
Sworn members of the police service were dumped with multiple buckets of icy water at the NBPS headquarters in front of spectators, media, and a very pleased audience of firefighters, all in support of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis awareness.
Something Devine says is was very important.
“All of our members are very aware of community involvement,” said Devine, whose father was a captain in North Bay’s fire service for 36 years.
“Obviously we couldn’t go without responding to the challenge from the Fire Department.”
With a guaranteed minimum donation of $100.00, Devine and other members of the police service are collecting money within the department for their donation to the ALS Association.
The charity has raised close to $18 million since the first official Ice Bucket Challenge was recorded less than a month ago.
The Police Department also took the opportunity to introduce its newest group of recruits to the community.
Mitchell Thomas, Sarah Marcotte, Justin Brear, and Brodie Beard will all be attending Ontario Police College in September.
“This is our first week on the job so it’s certainly an honour to take part in such a great cause,” said Beard, who played 4 years in the Ontario Hockey League with The Ottawa 67’s.
“I think it’s a great way to enter into the community and for those who don’t know us, it’s a great way to introduce us to the city of North Bay.”
The North Bay Police Service closed out the proceedings by officially challenging the West Nipissing Police Service, North Bay’s Paramedics, as well as the Sudbury Police Service to participate in the frosty activity.
