Peter MacLean won the #VPDPartners photo contest last year, winning a ride-along. Here’s the story behind his photo and how the ride-along went.
“My ride-along experience started off a bit differently than most, with a drive up the Sea-to-Sky to do some underwater exploring at Britannia. I had a pair of VPD Shades in the car and when my dive buddy pulled his underwater camera from his gear bag, we thought it would be fun to get a shot wearing the glasses while scuba diving. At the time I thought it would be a great way to show my support for the Vancouver Police Foundation and all of the great work they do in the community. I had no idea that the photo would go on to win the contest, and have me riding through Vancouver in the back of a VPD cruiser!
The ride-along started off late in the evening with two plain-clothes officers who took me through the downtown core and surrounding area of District 1. It wasn’t long before the calls started coming in, and off we went, lights and sirens blazing. One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity to witness the sheer variety of calls that officers are dealing with on a daily basis. Throughout the night I ended up being paired with several different officers, and we attended calls ranging from simple trespassing to a potential B&E in progress. I definitely left the ride-along with a great appreciation for the way that the officers were able to adapt their approach to each of the unique situations we attended.
One of the officers in particular took advantage of an opportunity to showcase a hidden talent when we were called to respond to a street performer drumming away on Granville Street. When we arrived on scene the officers quickly built a rapport with the performer and asked if he wouldn’t mind handing over his drum sticks for an impromptu performance by one of the officers. For those interested in seeing a video of the encounter, click here.
I’d like to finish by giving a big thank you to the Vancouver Police Foundation, the Vancouver Police Department, and everyone who voted in the contest. The ride-along was truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity and I am grateful that my photo was selected from among the many great entries that were submitted this year.
Thank you!”
The Vancouver Police Foundation supports programs and initiatives that fall under one of four pillars: Youth Programs, Mental Health & Addictions, Community Outreach & Engagement, and Technology & Special Equipment. You can help build a safer Vancouver by donating to the Vancouver Police Foundation.
