National Police Week

I am pleased to rise this afternoon to mark National Police Week that began May 14 and concludes May 20, 2006. Police Week is dedicated to increasing community awareness and recognition of policing services while strengthening police-community ties. This special week reminds us that police and community cooperation is the key to safer homes and communities.

This years theme is "Working Together for Safer Communities" and throughout the week the RNC and RCMP have taken part in numerous activities with stakeholders and the media to promote the concept of police and communities working together to enhance public safety and security. Activities have included visits to selected seniors� homes in the Northeast Avalon area with Mother�s Day flowers, a cake cutting at the Avalon Mall with Chief Browne of the RNC and Assistant Commissioner Lynch of the RCMP, as well as presentations in schools proudly supported by the media and various community groups.

National Police Week is also a time to reflect and appreciate the security and safety we feel today and often take for granted. In this province there are hundreds of officers who work hard each and every day to protect our communities and our families. I would like to recognize police officers across the province for their dedication and commitment to the enhancement of public safety and security.

Our government committed to providing a high level of public protection and we have worked diligently over the past two and a half years to provide both the RNC and RCMP with the human and operational resources required to ensure the people of this province feel safe and sound in their communities. Government invested $10 million to enhance policing in Budget 2006 and will continue to ensure public safety by making further sound investments in policing throughout the province.

I would also like to take this opportunity to note that May 15 is recognized internationally as Peace Officer� Memorial Day. Our province has a Police and Peace Officers� Memorial on the grounds of Confederation Building and we are proud to have such a memorial which pays tribute to those police and peace officers who have died in the line of duty.

National Police Week has been a great success and I would like to thank members of the RNC, RCMP, community groups, seniors, teachers, students and the media for making this year�s event so special. There is safety in numbers and it is so important for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to join together to assist the police in keeping our communities safe and sound. There are still several days remaining for National Police Week; I encourage everyone to take part in remaining Police Week activities and remember to always support police officers across the province.

2006 05 18                    1:50 p.m.