Justice and Public Safety
May 18, 2016

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety:

Recognizing the Sacrifices of our Police and Peace Officers

Mr. Speaker, it was an honour for me this morning to have an opportunity to speak at the International Police and Peace Officer Memorial Service at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in St. John’s.

For generations in Newfoundland and Labrador, brave women and men have been eager to answer the call to serve and protect our communities. Police and peace officers often work long hours in dangerous and unpredictable environments, and their selflessness and courage benefits each and every one of us.

Sometimes though, answering that call can result in tragedy and while ceremonies like the one today are important, it is unfortunate that we have to gather for such an occasion. One life lost is certainly one too many, but when you consider there have been 20 police and peace officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty in our province alone since 1861, the risks they face each and every day become all too real.

Fortunately in Newfoundland and Labrador, we have a high level of cooperation and collaboration between our various law enforcement agencies. These close-knit organizations look out for and support each other. I’d like to let them know that they have the support of our government as well.

I thank our police and peace officers for the critical work they do in making our province one of the greatest places in the world in which to live. I wish each and every one of them a safe return home at the end of their shift.

Thank you.

2016 05 18                             2:20 p.m.