Okotoks Oiler captain Jesse Perrin blocks a shot during a regular season game at Centennial Arena. Perrin, who is heading to Western Michigan university next season, is considering a career with the Calgary Police Service after completing his studies. Wheel file photo |
By Bruce Campbell
sports Editor
As captain of the Okotoks Junior A Oilers, Jesse Perrin had to work well in a team situation, think quickly on his feet, and show leadership. These are all attributes that are ideal for becoming a Calgary police officer.
Perrin is planning to join the Calgary Police Services after completing his studies at Western Michigan University.
“Being with the police is something I have always been interested in,” Perrin said. “I want to help people and it’s the type of work that is different every day.”
He had a taste of being one of Calgary’s finest when on a ride along with Calgary police officer Spencer VanHereweghe, whose father, Garry is the player personnel director for the Oilers when not working at his full-time job — recruiting members for Calgary police.
Perrin’s ride along was in downtown Calgary during the night shift. He admits it was an eye-opener.
He participated in one of the more dangerous situations for a police officer — trying to calm a domestic dispute that had erupted to the point that the police had been called.
He said the situation was handled perfectly. The police were able to calm the situation, and ensured nobody — police and quarrelers — were never harmed.
“It is a lot like being on a hockey team,” Perrin said. “You have to work as team. You also have to be able to think about the consequences of decisions, so you can handle a situation properly.
“I can see a lot of similarities between being on a hockey team and working with the police.”
Perrin has accepted a hockey scholarship to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and plans to study criminal justice.
He said joining the Calgary Police Services would enable him to stay close to Crossfield where he was raised.
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