CHIEF FOR THE DAY
Tough-minded positivity
Windsor resident Nia Robert might be only 11 years old, but she’s not naive about the community’s need for repair.
“The world has always been broken. That’s why we need good officers like you to fix it,” Nia told Windsor police top brass on Thursday, reciting from her letter for the Values, Influences and Peers program.
“Life isn’t a crystal stair. For most people, their stairs are broken. But they can fix them. So I implore you: Try. Try to make the world a better place.”
The tough-minded positivity of Nia’s letter earned her the title of Chief for a Day with Windsor police.
On Thursday morning, the Grade 6 Dougall Public School student met with senior officers, sat at the desk of Deputy Chief Vince Power, and embarked on a full schedule of other chiefly duties.
“It’s an experience I didn’t think I would get,” Nia said at Windsor police headquarters, before heading to the Devonshire Mall to tour the service’s 150th anniversary exhibition.
Elementary school students across Windsor were asked to write letters about why they wanted to be Chief for a Day. Nia’s essay emphasized the importance of keeping good company and leading by example.
“No one is born who they become. In VIP, we learned that if you hang with dogs, you are most likely to be a dog. But if you hang with eagles, you will soar!” Nia wrote.
“If people around you are positive, you will be positive. But if people around you are negative, you will be negative.”
“Gandhi once said, ‘You have to be the change you wish to see.’ ”
Deputy Chief Power presented Nia with an official certificate of her authority as chief, to the applause of assembled inspectors and division leaders.
Nia said she was inspired by her teacher and her passion for writing. “I’ve always been told that I was an excellent writer.”
But Nia said she’s also considering a career in law enforcement. “I was thinking something along the lines of detective work. I just think it’s super cool that you get to inspect everything on the crime scene and figure everything out.”
Police Week at the Devonshire Mall (3100 Howard Ave.) continues until Saturday. Featuring Windsor Police Service equipment displays, forensics displays, educational exhibits, and information about Camp Brombal — the service’s annual summer camp for underprivileged kids ages 10 to 12.
Life isn’t a crystal stair. For most people, their stairs are broken. But they can fix them. So I implore you: Try. Try to make the world a better place.