Victim services unit celebrates 30th anniversary one year later

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on June 25, 2022.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Lethbridge Police Services VWSU manager Catherine Pooley watches while LPS Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh, city councillor John Middleton-Hope and Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf unveil a plaque commemorating the many volunteers who have served the SWVU in the last 30 years during their 30th anniversary celebration Thursday at the LPS police station.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Lethbridge Police Service Victim/Witness Services Unit celebrated their 30th Anniversary Thursday, a year after the actual date due to COVID-19 restrictions in 2021.
The unit was launched in 1991 to provide information, support and referrals to victims and witnesses of crime or tragedy and to honour this milestone, the VWSU invited leaders and members past and present, along with city dignitaries and LPS members, to a ceremony held outdoors.
VWSU Program Manager, Catherine Pooley, said there is such value in taking the time to acknowledge the hard work of the volunteers that keep the unit running, that they were having a tree dedication with a plaque in honour of all of their volunteers.
“The tree was planted in time for when we were planning it (ceremony) last year and it survived the winter so we’re very pleased,” said Pooley.
She said that along with the plaque unveiling, a time capsule will be filled and buried to be opened in another 30 years, which will include some items to remember Kourt by, as she was the first dog of the VWSU.
“In our time capsule we have paw prints from her and a little history of who she is, we got her picture, a bit of history about what she’s done and what she’s planning on doing and we even got trading cards with her on, so it looks like a hockey card but it’s Kourt on there so we’ve included one of those as well,” said Pooley.
A picture of those in attendance was taken after the unveiling ceremony and will be placed in the time capsule as well in hopes to see some of those faces still around in 30 years.
During the ceremony LPS Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh spoke to those in attendance and thanked those who have, and are, volunteering with the VWSU.
He said he has worked across the country and has seen many different victim services units and volunteers in action and he can say with certainty, that Lethbridge has the best victim services unit he has ever seen.
“The dedication and passion that you show for your role and how you support this community and the victims of crime in this city, I really want to thank you for that,” said Mehdizadeh to the volunteers.
He said that their contribution put victims on the path to recovery and success for the future.
“I know every member I speak to, they have the highest regard and respect for all of you and certainly that goes for me, because this is not an easy task or easy job to volunteer for, you are actually meeting people at their worst, and worst times in their life, and you actually invest your time and give them what they need to move forward,” said Mehdizadeh.
He said he read somewhere many years ago that the biggest and most important gift someone can give anyone in this world is their time, because our time is limited and nobody lives forever.
“So when you actually dedicate your time to others it is the greatest gift you can give them and I really thank you for the gift that you’re giving our citizens everyday,” said Mehdizadeh.
From 1991 to 2021 the VWSU had 526 volunteers who provided  480,000 volunteer hours, opened 41,091 files for support, provided 87,600 hours of phone support, and 5,745 hours of court support with resulted in 6,031 youth and their families supported.

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