I would like to nominate Smiths Falls Police Constable Aaron Tompkins for the 2021 Police Services Hero of the Year Award. Constable Tompkins is our Community Service Officer. Not only does Constable Tompkins serve and protect our town of Smiths Falls, he is involved with many programs in our town.
Constable Tompkins is very involved with our Special Olympics athletes. For years, he has helped with organizing the Law Enforcement Torch Run that goes through our town of Smiths Falls.
In collaboration with the Peterborough Police, the two detachments support each other with this event. The day before this event, an annual toll collection (a daylong event) takes place where people drive by and make donations to this cause. Our athletes are present and helping at both these events. The day of the Torch Run, our athletes run alongside the police from Smiths Falls and Peterborough. Those who don’t run drive in police cars or ride on trailers and trucks from volunteers. In 2020, Constable Tompkins organized a safe walk with our athletes despite the pandemic cancelling the Torch Run. Constable Tompkins is a swimming coach for our Special Olympic athletes as well.
Constable Tompkins is a member of our Smiths Falls and District Crime Stoppers. Our Smiths Falls and District Crime Stoppers won five provincial awards of excellence in November 2020. Constable Tompkins received the Coordinator Achievement Award for his involvement and commitment to Crime Stoppers.
Constable Tompkins helped organize a “Thank you” parade for our hospital staff on April 14/20. It was a collaboration of all our emergency workers in Smiths Falls to show their appreciation for our front line workers in our hospital.
On April 30/20, Constable Tompkins and our Smiths Falls Police organized having 75 meals prepared at a local restaurant and then they delivered them to our local emergency workers at our hospital, fire department and ambulance service.
Constable Tompkins does regular interviews with our local media. This past year, he has been encouraging people to follow COVID-19 guidelines according to our Health Unit. He has been a trusting and reliable resource providing updates during this pandemic.
Our Smiths Falls Police Service has provided a mailbox and a safe place for children to deliver their letters to Santa Claus. Constable Tompkins has collaborated with our local radio station to have these letters read on air.
The pandemic postponed some events in 2020, however, Constable Tompkins has been involved in annual events such as the Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire Fishing Day, Canada Day Bike Contest and Parade, Fill the Cruiser for our local Food Bank, Turkey Train for our local Food Bank, bike safety rodeos and hosting BBQs for our Special Olympic athletes. His presence in our schools have provided our children with a familiar police officer in our town which opens communication to all our police officers.
Our Smiths Falls Police Service focuses on “Community First”. We are so fortunate to have our own town police department.
The pandemic has put restrictions on events, activities and community involvement. Constable Tompkins has maintained his presence, involvement and support of our community. He is a reliable resource and a trusting voice 'to educate people' as Constable Tompkins says as we go through this pandemic and we wait safely until we can return to the activities and events our town enjoyed so much.
Please note - photo provided taken prior to the pandemic.