Local MLA Richard Perchotte acknowledges hard work of local RCMP officer
Last month, Selkirk MLA Richard Perchotte acknowledged Selkirk’s Paul Human on the floor of the Manitoba Legislature. Residents will likely know Human from his many efforts in our community which involve his work as a Constable and Community Policing Officer as well as an incredible amount of local volunteer work.
In his member’s statement, Perchotte complimented Human on his 24 years as an RCMP officer serving in Lac Du Bonnet, Thompson, Stonewall and Selkirk.
“Every public event I attend I see Paul there engaging, informing and protecting the public,” he said.
Perchotte also mentioned that Human is a Navel Reservist with 12 years of service obtaining the rank of Lieutenant as well as his volunteer work as the Commanding Officer of #77 Daerwood, providing leadership, direction and guidance to 12 to 19-year-old youths in the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps.
Perchotte then also mentioned his being in his third year of training to become a Deacon with the Roman Catholic Church.
The Selkirk Record caught up with Human to chat with him about his experience being recognized and why he feels it’s so important to serve his community.
“It’s nice, especially when you’re being recognized by someone from outside of the organization that you work for. Obviously, the experience of going to the legislature, I’ve been there a few times in my career, but when you’re actually being recognized in their work area, it’s really cool. I was very, very thankful,” he said.
Perchotte let Human know that he wanted to recognize him in the legislative building mentioning in particular that Human is at many public events in our community and the importance of that.
“This is my job. This is what I do. I talk to people. I share my stories about the RCMP, or I make myself available so that people can ask me any question,” said Human.
Some people may not know everything that Human does for our community because he volunteers and is involved with so many groups.
In addition to his other work, Human volunteers at the Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen as a board member and is their Chief Soup Maker taking on the responsibility of cook duties every Monday. He has been involved with the START program. He also is a bass drum player for the RCMP Pipes and Drums.
“If the pipeband is needed within Manitoba, at the discretion of our commanding officer, then we’re there. That means that I wear a different uniform and I play in the band that way, and that’s another way for me to get around. I’ve been to lots of change of command ceremonies all over and I don’t mind. Music’s in my blood. I absolutely love it,” he said.
He’s, of course, very proud of his work with our local cadets saying that the kids are all incredible.
“It’s an excellent program. It’s led by (the cadets). We open the doors, we turn on the lights, they teach the classes. We love it,” said Human.
In addition, he’s a spiritual care volunteer with the hospital.
“I try to get over there once a week, and I do my little afternoon thing. Basically, what we do is we get a list of patients that would want to visit from a spiritual care volunteer, and we go hang out with them. I don’t wear my uniform. Eventually, people will find out who I am, but I don’t wear my uniform. I’m just, I’m Paul,” he explained.
If you thought that was a busy enough schedule, you’d be right, but Human also works as a crisis negotiator with the RCMP and, through his work, students and residents might have been to one of his presentations as he also provides community safety talks to a variety of groups in our area.
Human says that giving back to the community is something he enjoys doing.
“When you find out what you really like to do, then it’s not going to be work, and it’s fun,” he said.
He also has some great advice for people who are inspired to help out in our community.
“If you’re looking to give back to your own communities, we’ve always looking for volunteers at places like the Gordon Howard Centre, the Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, we have our Selkirk Food Bank, and our schools too at the same time. If you complete, a volunteer application with our school division, they’re always looking for people. It’s a way to take your talents to another level and help other people out, because when we start helping other people out, we’re doing the right thing,” said Human.
He says that the more people that are involved with their communities the stronger that community becomes.
