As the outrage continues in some quarters over a proposed 15% increase in next year’s budget for the Belleville Police Service, I would like to remind everyone what that money pays for.
This week, it was revealed that Acting Sgt. Jeff Sarley is receiving an Ontario Medal for Police Bravery for his role in a dangerous driving case in Belleville in September of last year.
Sarley arrested a person in a dangerous driving case where a cube truck struck others vehicles and even a house before the Acting Sergeant managed to stop it by blocking it in with his own vehicle.
In doing so, he barely managed to escape being rammed by the offending vehicle, diving out of the way before a collision that caused extensive damage and could have ended his life.
This story reminds me of three important facts when it comes to the cost of policing.
One – you can’t put a price on bravery, or quick thinking, especially when there are lives on the line including your own.
Two – real heroes don’t seek the spotlight or additional compensation for doing their duty. We didn’t hear much about this story last year, because to Sarley it was just part of the job.
Three – you can’t truly put a price tag on public safety. Sometimes that means replacement vehicles, and often is means more officers as an area grows and crime increases.
There isn’t another Jeff Sarley to hire, but we can give him and the other brave women and men serving in Belleville the support they need to get the job done.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
