The North Bay Police Service stayed close to home as the organization held a swearing-in ceremony for two new Constables who grew up in the North Bay area.
Paige Marcotte is a graduate of West Ferris Secondary School. Paige attended Canadore College where she graduated with a diploma in Community and Justice Services.
The North Bay Police Service is in her family roots as her grandfather Harley Solmon is a retired decorated North Bay Police officer, while her aunt Sue Solmon is an award winning Constable still with the service.
"He is one of my role models," Marcotte said about her grandfather.
"It is really good to be kind of following the footsteps of him and my aunt Sue as well."
Prior to her employment with the NBPS, Paige worked for Parkside Animal Hospital as a Client Care Specialist and Garda World as Pre-Board Screening Officer at Jack Garland Airport.
Paige started with the NBPS as a part-time Special Constable in October of 2023.
Police officer incident changed Venditi's life
Venditti says an experience he had involving a police officer when he was younger inspired him to pursue a career in law enforcement.
"I don't remember his name, but there was a North Bay constable that showed up to my house, and I just believe that if he didn't do what he did, I might not be in the position I am today, so it inspired me to want to give back and help people," he said candidly.
Venditti is a graduate of St. Joseph Scollard Hall Secondary School. He has a diploma in Pre-Health Science from Canadore College, and Venditti is currently enrolled in the Criminal Justice program at Athabasca University.
The new constables have something in common. Both of them experienced working with the service as special constables.
"Of course, I've always wanted to be a police officer, but it's one thing to kind of say and then put yourself in, in situations that'll be similar to being on the road. and I think the special constable program was a great introduction to that," said Marcotte.
Venditti believes the Special Constable program creates a special connection important when trying to become a full-time officer.
"The nice thing about being a special constable is it really shows you that this service is more of a brotherhood and sisterhood. you don't feel like you're under anybody, and everybody treats you with respect. I see it as almost like a friendship between all the officers here," he said.
Daryl Longworth, North Bay's police chief believes the special constable program is invaluable.
"You can't put a price on it because they've already been here," noted Longworth.
"They've been exposed to the court system. They've been exposed to dealing with people in custody, dealing with numbers of the public, being professional. We've already given them some training and use of force and deescalation of things like that. So they already come in well ahead of somebody who's never been exposed to any kind of policing."
Hiring Competition
Longworth realizes that it is a challenge recruiting officers but he believes they are doing a good job with bringing in the right new officers along with the best qualified ones.
"All the police organizations across the province and across the country are all competing for what seems to be a never shrinking pool of really qualified candidates and we've made the commitment here that we're not going to settle for anything less than what we expect and what our goals and objectives are with recruiting," said Longworth.
"So it is becoming difficult to find that perfect fit, but we've been very successful in hiring both brand new police officers, fresh out of school or are starting out in their career, but also successful in attracting some other talent from other organizations across the province who want to come to North Bay for a variety of reasons, some of which have to do with career, others have to do which is family life and way of living that North Bay has to offer as well."
Longworth estimates they currently had 117 sworn-in officers, and hoping to add four more additional officers if the 2025 Police Budget is approved.