A Collingwood OPP sergeant is hanging up his hat on a 30-year profession this week.

For this week’s version of Folks of Collingwood we spoke with Pauline Ottoson, retired Collingwood OPP Sergeant

Q: The place did you develop up?

I grew up on a farm north of Bowmanville.

I went to Durham Faculty for regulation and safety administration.

Q: When did you begin your regulation enforcement profession?

A: I began with the OPP in 1993, after I was 21. I used to be assigned to the Shelburne seize (space), which is now referred to as Dufferin.

In 1999, I transferred to Northern Ontario for 3 years. In 2002, I got here to Collingwood. I have been right here ever since.

Q: Did you request to return to Collingwood?

A: So in case you did a northern period, which I did between 1999 and 2002, you’ll be able to select any detachment within the province. As soon as there’s a gap, then that is the place they allow you to go.

So I selected Collingwood.

Once I was in Shelburne, I got here up right here and skied and hiked, so I needed to return again to this space.

Q: Have you ever at all times recognized that you simply needed to be in regulation enforcement?

A: No, I did not actually.

Once I was in highschool, Grade 11, I had a very good steerage counselor there who was additionally certainly one of my coaches.

There was a brand new computer-based aptitude check that informed you what sort of careers you are geared to.

So I simply answered questions. Rapidly it got here up with police and regulation enforcement. In order that’s the place I went.

Q: What elements of regulation enforcement appealed to you?

A: Every little thing might be totally different day by day. It was probably fast-paced, and attention-grabbing, thrilling and simply difficult. Daily was one thing new. You are at all times studying in policing. It is not stagnant.

I wasn’t minimize out to be in an workplace.

I acquired to be exterior, with individuals and coping with the general public.

It was the it was like a social setting and included in that employment. The OPP supplied the chance to maneuver across the province and see totally different areas, meet totally different individuals and do totally different jobs.

Q: If you have been working as a police officer, did you may have a particular beat?

A: I began as a constable on the street in Shelburne.

After which I did some, some prison investigation work inside the Shelburne detachment. Once I was up north, I used to be on the street and doing site visitors tickets, as a result of the Trans Canada runs by it.

Once I got here to Collingwood, I began going into the supervisory half.

I acquired promoted in 2010 to a sergeant. I acquired into the recruitment facet, which was wonderful.

I did a couple of various things, however for essentially the most half, my profession has been totally on the street.

Q: Do you may have any standout tales out of your 30-year profession that you simply is likely to be prepared to share?

A: I have been investigated for homicides, double homicides and violent crimes towards individuals, which is unlucky.

After all, that is a part of the job.

However there’s additionally the great facet, like our youth on the town. I attempted to get into the faculties and into the group and meet individuals and volunteer my time, each on-duty and off-duty.

Q: You are returning after a 30-year policing profession. Would you may have any recommendation for brand new recruits?

A: The OPP is hiring proper now. We’re on the lookout for actually good candidates. Though you solely should have highschool, (doing) police foundations is a bonus.

Once I was a constable, I used to be additionally a coach officer. I’ve coached lots of people.

Generally, be energetic. Be prepared to be taught. You wish to soak all of it in.

You must wish to be there not simply as a job as a result of it pays the payments, but in addition since you actually wish to do it.

Be somewhat quieter, and hear extra to senior officers. You may be taught a lot. Become involved in the neighborhood. That really makes a very profitable police officer.

After a 30 yr profession with #OPPfinal evening Sgt Ottoson took her ultimate 10-7 on the #CwoodOPP. #Thankyou on your service! #BestJobEver #OPPWomen ^tm pic.twitter.com/8sx94rDHpL

— OPP Central Area (@OPP_CR) May 1, 2023

Q: What are a few of your hobbies exterior of policing?

A: I prefer to hike up within the mountains. I am studying methods to mountain bike up there, which is difficult.

I play lots of seashore volleyball and snowboarding. I’ve lots of buddies right here. We do quite a bit collectively.

Q: Is there anything you would like individuals in Collingwood to find out about you?

A: I would prefer to thank Collingwood. They’ve all made me part of their group right here in many alternative methods and it has been nice.

My son was born and raised right here, and he is nonetheless right here as nicely.

That is my house. That is our house now. I got here right here due to my job, however it’s the group of Collingwood that has let me keep right here and made me wish to keep right here.

For our characteristic Folks of Collingwood, we communicate with attention-grabbing people who find themselves both from or are contributing to the Collingwood group not directly, letting them inform their very own tales in their very own phrases. This characteristic runs on Collingwood Immediately each weekend. If you would like to appoint or recommend somebody to be featured within the Folks of Collingwood, electronic mail [email protected].