Thanks to Inspector (Retired) Dennis O’Sullivan, Northwest Region for the submission of this article.
This request is being forwarded to you to survey COA membership to identify qualified spouses for recognition by the OPP. *Posthumous recognition is also to be considered.
The OPP Awards & Recognition Bureau, in consultation with the OPP Veterans´ Association, is attempting to identify and recognize the voluntary support that spouses willingly contributed to OPP members stationed at detachments throughout Ontario for a minimum duration of one year between 1909 and the late 1970s.
This mainly occurred at remote one- and two-man detachment locations where the office was attached to (or part of) the living quarters. With the officer(s) frequently absent on police service calls, investigations, court, mandatory training, etc., the wife was left alone to face unique challenges in support of police operations such as:
– answering the telephone
– taking complaints at all hours at the office door or by telephone
– using the police radio
– administering first aid to accident or assault victims
– comforting crime victims
– providing sanctuary to battered wives
Many were raising their own families in unfamiliar communities, but in loyalty to their husbands and the OPP, they acted as secretaries, interviewers and matrons. Other unpaid assistance provided by these dedicated Silent Partners included:
– cooking and caring for prisoners
– transporting and searching female prisoners
– taking into their homes and temporarily caring for abandoned and neglected children
– providing meals for court officials and senior officers
CRITERIA– Name of spouse
– Contact Information (address/phone number/email address)
– OPP Detachment(s) and date(s) of service at that/those location(s)
– Name & Rank of the OPP member (husband) serving at those detachments
– Brief description of the work performed as the Silent Partner to qualify for this recognition
APPLICATIONSApplicants must have endured the hardship postings (for a minimum of one year) where wives were required to perform duties in support of their husbands. The names of those meeting the selection
criteria (and who wish to allow their name to be put forward for recognition by the OPP*) should be emailed to the OPP Veterans´ Association at [email protected]. or contact your local OPPVA liaison Director. These names will then be forwarded to the Awards & Recognition Bureau.
This is a one shot deal and I request every effort be made to get word out to anyone you know who had a spouse that fits the criteria. Applications for this award will not be accepted after midnight on December 31, 2015.
* Family approval required in cases of posthumous awards.