Const.
Niki Spyropoulos
51
Division Primary Response Unit
On the job: Two months
Niki
hugs former students who attended her grad
Patience,
respect and people skills have always been part of the job description for
new Const. Niki Spyropoulos.
The former
Ellington Montessori school teacher knows that being a good police
constable has many of the same qualities that a teacher employs daily on
the job.
The
30-year-old was among 103 new recruits to join the job at a C.O. Bick
College graduation on January 12.
Spyropoulos
says her new job may be a dramatic change from teaching but dealing with
people remains a common thread.
“The
kids that I taught are very similar to the rest of the public,” said
Spyropoulos, who had two former students on hand to watch her graduate.
“You have to give respect in order to get it back, there are people who
follow the rules and those who don’t and you have to deal with that.”
She
learned at Aylmer how to put all the inherent dangers of the job into
perspective and bring safety to the various situations she will encounter.
Spyropoulos
said she is glad to have a lot of life experience in her teaching career
to prepare her for this challenge – which she has thought about
seriously for the last 10 years. She decided in university she would
pursue a degree before becoming an officer and then went on to teaching.
But she never forgot her dream.
Niki with
family, friends, students, colleagues
She
said she was inspired to join the Service by former police officer and
friend Allan McKeraghan, who has passed away.
“He
was just a very honest man who put his heart and soul into his job,”
Spyropoulos said.
She
was joined at her graduation by family, friends, her former school
principal and students, making it all the more special and exciting.
“I’m
elated… I’ve waited for this day for so long,” she said.
Her
graduation day was capped by her earning the prestigious Harry Mayzel
Award, given to the grad who exhibits the core values of service and
devotes time, energy and commitment toward classmates.
