An American novelist once referred to men such as Ian Wootton as members of "The Thin Blue Line. " And to use Anierican jargon, he's a street cop. He's the most visible law enforcement that most Whitby residents ever see. Most of us only have contact with bim when he gives us that ticket for running a red'ligbt. And instead of being grateful forý the great job that he and Mis fellow police officers do every day, we grumble and mutter because we have to pay a $58 fine for not wearing our seatbelt despite the fact we've known it's been man- datory to do so for years now. Police Constable Ian Wootton bas been a member of the Durham Regional Police Force for the past six years and the last five of them have been as a general patrol officer working out of- Whitby's, 18 Division. As a general patrol of- ficer, Wootton said that he must be prepared to bandie everytbing from fmnding a lost cbild, to investigating a traffic accident to being the first officer on the scene of a major crime. Wootton pointed out that a general patrol of- ficer(not him, thougb) was the. first police of- ficiai, on the scene of the Michael Davis murder on Tbickson Rd. S. a couple of years ago. But, officers such as Wootton are more of ten involved ini what he describes as "day-to- day criminial 'occuran- Local Ucw repo rt By MARLENE NICHOLS St. Mark'. U.C.W. St. Marks U.C.W. held their general meeting, Mayl1at 8p.m. with the preidet,-Ar-Ien - -. of Yesteryear."$ The Worship Service was presented by St. Paul's U.C.W. followed by a presentation on homosexuality. The librarian from Ajax Public Library sbowed a film entitled "Michael A Gay Son". An enjoyable lunch was served by the frien- dship unit. ces." Aside from provincial and federal statutes (primarily the Criminal Code of Canada) the situations, of people, of problems that you en- counter."1 He readily admits that being a police of- P.C. Ian Wootton general patrol officer is also responsible fo the enforcement of the town bylaws. Wootton says that the thing be likes most about police work is "The -variety of ficer was bis first career choice although he graduated from York University with a bachelor of arts degree in economics. His first choice was the Royal Canadian Euchre nieght The Ladies' Auxiliary oni-Byron St. S. of Brancn 112, the Royal Canadian Legion will bold their monthly progressive euchre nigbt on May 17 at 8 p.m. in the Legion Hall Tickets are $2 at the door and include lunch and prizes. For moreinformation caîl 683-6261. ~' ." ~ Q UTDO( Mounted Police and, he was indeed offered a position witb them after he had been with the Durham force for about 18 months but decided to stay on locally. "This is a good depar- tment to work for, and its agood area to bein,' Wootton says. Although born and raised in Markbam, Wootton now lives in Oshawa; with bis wife and 2-year old son. Like any cop, the 29- year old constable is aware of the dangers of Mis work but be doesn't- allow tbem to effect him adversely. "I've neyer really ex- perienced any fear in my work," he says, "0'f- ten a situation develops so quickly that they are often resolved before you have time to think about it."1 Reaction, he con- tinued, is delayed, "lit comes after the fact. " Police officers un- dergo strenous psychological testing to ensure that before they put on a uniform they are at least capable of dealing with emergency situations. Wbile he lias neyer had to use bis sidez, -n in the' une of duty, he bas drawn in an- ticipation-on a few oc- casions. Most of these occasions have been when a bank bas soun- ded its general alarm. SIn fact, most police of- ficers don't talk about 'these kinds of tbings even amongest themn- selves. Station chatter is normally devoted to the day-to-day things they have to deal with. Wootton says that INN OPENING MAY 18TH184 FamiIy Camping and Backpacking Canadian-European & Oriental Tents OPENING SPECIALS While quantities Iast - Shop early! HARBOUR.- SHERPA - BACKPACKS PROM $5u24 3 person Reg. 1289.95 tamily tent Reg. $359.95 MESS KITr $3n6O $239n.% $278.E Vinyl Air Mattres $1099 30S SLEEPING BAGS - WAIT JUGS - COOLERS 305 BROCK ST. N., WHITBY 68,D,0474 Same uocatlon as Mandera Upholstery during Whitby's recent residential break and enter spree, it was the most common subject of station chatter. ,One of the worst aspects of the job is the shift work. Wootton works every shift, everyday and sometimes this spoils family life. They often must turn down weekend invitaions because of the job but Wootton says bis wife is supportive of Mis work. "She ,occasionaly, very occasionally, will get a littie depressed about the shifts, but generally she's very un- derstanding, " he says. Although be is eligible he bas yet to write Mis sargeant's exam. 'But this doesn't mean be's not interested in other forms of police work. "I'm interested in al aspects of police work, "_ Wootton says, 1I would like the opportunity to work i the Criminal In- vestigation *branch .-or the intelligence office. Perhaps down the road even become involved in administration." He also likes working in Whitby saying it allows hlm a more varied experience as a police officer. "I like working in Whitby very much because you have the opportunity to become more involved in your investigations," ,Woot- ton says, "In a larger * community you often just do a quick preliminary in-, vestigation and then turn it over to the detec- tive office. "I1N Whitby you have the opportunlty and you are encouraged to get more involved."' So next time you get that ticket, remember the man who gave it to you is a trained professional and that is only a small part of what hedoes. VICTORIA DAY SiXZ/LE SAILE Add real sparkle to your outdoor cooking with a 1984 model Broilmaster. Shepherd or Jacuzzi Bar-B-Q. Join the selI-a-bration. Enjoy the "SIZZLE SAVINGS- at Superior Propane. JACUZZI BrotOuee * 418 sq. in. Cooking Surface * Stainless Steel Bow-Tie Burner *Twin Up-Front Controls " Piezo Spark Igniter " Porce Iained Steel Cooking Grids e Temperature Indicator " Redwood Front Sheif Just $303.00 - (Cylinder included) Model 32 i ~ SAVE NOW! EXTRA20 lb. Cylinider just S25.00 EXTRA Lava Rock, 8 lb. bag. S3 .90 .~CLIDR Bar-B0QTune-Up Kits -S13-15 * j Save on Bar-B-Q Covers in(,, * Y.Rotisseries. too SHOWROOM HOURS 8 &.m. -.6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 8 S.M. - i p.m. Sot. VISAI Co ' 'POT[ Ai 111ii (iR i 4C ~ ro' i >1 .lw;o'. mioloi>l brrch lo;îo. o ;Il Vîol ci ocar s -,tccowîcoucucMckv Vont csc ocon a.Iy o.grc..oo. a -.colojoc.I <c 0 PROPANE 505 VICTORIA ST. WH ITBY 668-3328, Un»" ------------- WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 1984, PAGE 1 police officer enjoys getting involved with his work L iliýý2 J, ri