SUPERINTENDENT REFLECTS ON EPS UPON RETIREMENT
His best stories revolve around canine partner Teak, who became a family pet
Before going on a shift, Edmonton police officers Tom Pallas and his wife Nikki always told one another they loved each other.
“I think there is always (the) concern of what your loved ones are going to experience during their shift — and always some fear,” said Pallas, who recently retired as an Edmonton Police Services superintendent. “You just never know what could happen.”
All EPS members at some time are involved in critical stress incidents, said Pallas, who looks back to several incidents early in his career.
“They affected me, and it wasn't until I became involved with the critical incident stress management (CISM) program that I realized they had seriously touched me and I began to talk about their impact.”
One night, he and a fellow officer had arrived at a robbery in progress at the Esso gas station on 101 Street and Kingsway Avenue and the suspect walked toward him brandishing a knife.
“Luckily, we were able to use pepper spray to stop him and did not have to use lethal force,” said Pallas.
Other incidents included a young university student jumping off a downtown business tower and two separate incidents of pedestrians being hit by the LRT.
Pallas, the retired superintendent of the Edmonton's amalgamated Southwest and Southeast divisions, which has a combined budget of $41 million and more than 300 personnel, said at high school he decided to take the Grant Macewan law enforcement program.
“I was looking for a career with a variety of experiences and where I could help make a difference,” he said. “I studied for three years, the third year being a university transfer criminology course. I excelled there, something I hadn't done throughout high school.”
Pallas said he found life exciting with the EPS, which he added is considered a world-leading, innovative organization.
Among the many courses he took included ethical decision-making, crisis intervention, leadership and a University of Alberta class teaching business executive education.
“It seemed a natural progression and I sat back and let things evolve,” said Pallas. “I never thought I would serve at the executive level of our police service.”
In 1998 and 1999, he was the Harry Ainlay school's EPS resource officer and coached city and provincial volleyball championship teams.
“Incidentally,” he said, “one of the players on that provincial team, and more than a few of my students at Harry Ainlay, have become great police officers with the EPS.”
A dog lover, and with some discouragement from some, Pallas worked in the canine unit as a handler from 2000 to 2006 and then as a sergeant from 2009 to 2012.
“My best stories are about my partner Teak, who retired after six years to become our family pet,” said Pallas.
“There are so many stories of tracking suspects: high speed chases, dogs finding people hiding and dogs finding lost items or weapons.
“I didn't handle dogs in my second position in the canine unit, but I often got to bring the puppies home. They were so darn cute the hard part was to take them back.”
Supporting him in joining the canine division, and throughout his career was his wife Nikki, a provincial and national water-skiing champion, whom he met at an Innisfail water-skiing tournament in 1994 and married in 1996.
“Nikki had a passion to be a police officer, but had poor eyesight,” said Pallas. “She had an operation in 1997 and was then accepted by the EPS. Today Nikki works in the recruit training unit.”
Pallas also served as chief of staff to then-police chief Rod Knecht, a position he says he was “drafted into” and for which he had not applied.
“I wasn't sure if it would be a good fit for me and my family, but it turned out to be a great job,” he said. “It gave me exposure to many different places and areas of government.
“I also gained a new respect for the chief of police. He must be available 24/7 every day and our pace was crazy.
“I am lucky enough to have a very supportive spouse and family and now consider the chief a friend.”
Being a veteran member of the Ironcops for Cancer triathlon team, Pallas says in retirement he will have more time to train and regrets missing the team's first 2000 race in Penticton, B.C.
“I was very involved with the canine unit then,” he said. “But Nikki and I did the race together in 2004 and I have since been with the team when it competes every other year. And I will be there this year.”
Sadly, team founder and retired EPS Staff- Sgt. Kerry Nisbet was recently seriously injured in an accident with a car.
“We think the world of Kerry and his ironman wife Susan and wish Kerry the best in recovery.”