Feeling Heard

I received a follow up phone call this afternoon from the complaint I made a few weeks ago to my local police department in reference to the incident that took place in my home on the evening of January 15th (in case you missed it, click here: https://wheredidmommyssmilego.com/2023/01/21/i-need-to-be-that-voice/).

The officer had originally reached out to me about a week ago via email letting me know that he had been assigned to my OIPRD Public Complaint for investigation and wanted to take the opportunity to discuss the concerns addressed in my complaint, as well as the OIPRD mandated modes of resolution.

We arranged a time for him to call me today over my lunch hour. He told me he is a retired police officer who is now an Investigator with the Internal Civilian Investigations board. 

Although he had read through my letter in preparation for our call he wanted to hear from me personally what had happened that night and what he can do to help. 

We spoke for close to an hour. He listened intently and asked me to share my journey with him over the last 9 years and what ultimately led to the event in my home last month. He said that although he can’t ever begin to know how I feel he said he can definitely understand how difficult my fight for survival has been, especially over the past year. He was genuinely concerned for my safety and wellbeing in the moment. 

He then apologized for what I’d gone through with the police officers last month even though he knew I was not blaming the actual officers themselves who I’d reiterated were kindhearted and just following the department’s policies and procedures. He then admitted to me that although he has seen many important changes take place during  his long career with the police force in how they conduct themselves when dealing with people in mental health crisis, he knows that it’s still nowhere near where it needs to be. He also admitted that unfortunately the YRP department, (York Regional Police, who I dealt with) are one of several departments who still have very limiting resources. 

Before our call ended he spoke briefly about the mental health support team who works with their police department and asked if it would be okay if he reached out to them “immediately following our call” to get their incite on my story. He continued by saying that he strongly believes that my story needs attention and knows how important it is for officers to look at how they can do better by listening to people and advocates like myself sharing their experiences and giving their personal input in order for these necessary changes to be made.

He said he would follow up with another phone call soon…As I hung up the phone I felt my voice being heard.

#makeachange #advocacy #shareyourstory #mentalhealth #makeadifference #purposeful #yorkregionpolice #beavoiceforchange #suicidalideations #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #youareenough #endthestigmatogether