Sir: I was really proud when I read in The Chatham Voice that our Police Chief Dennis Poole was to receive an Order of Merit of the Police Forces at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. This prestigious medal has been handed out for the last 14 years to recognize the leadership and exceptional service or distinctive merit of officers in our Canadian police services.
Then I read Bruce Corcoran’s piece about the chief’s plans for an early retirement. Rather naively, when he joined our local police as a young recruit, Poole “didn’t really think bad things happened in Chatham.” In fact, there were times when he wondered if it was worth all the human heartache he encountered. But he stuck it out, and, from what I have heard from people who know him well, Chief Poole grew while serving the police and he retained his Christian beliefs and standards.
This is so different from a retired police officer whom I have known well for many years. He’s a good man, a kind man. He would do anything for anybody. But he has lost his faith.
“How could there be a God in this world of hatred, crime and despicable behaviour?” he has asked me. And, whatever I say, he shakes his head sadly.
We should all be grateful that Dennis Poole has retained his faith despite the fact he now knows bad things do happen in Chatham. I would like to join the many who wish him well.
Stephen Beecroft
Chatham
