The letter below was sent by Warren (Smokey) Thomas to Western University's Campus Community Police Service. The President of OPSEU congratulates the police officers, whom OPSEU proudly represents and who were instrumental in preventing a possible terror attack on Western's campus.
October 6, 2016
Mr. Ryan Fairful
Mr. Scott Hessel
Mr. Lee Pressey
Mr. Doug Rook
Mr. Justin Sisco
Mr. Josh Sykes
Mr. Ryan Thomson
Mr. Greg Vandenberg
Mr. Jeff VanHaarlem
Dear brothers:
On behalf of Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida and the OPSEU Executive Board, I would like to warmly congratulate you for your swift action in apprehending an individual who had threatened to shoot and kill members of Western University’s campus community.
I understand that you took a Facebook threat of death with the utmost seriousness and wasted no time in identifying and locating the suspect. In so doing, you helped members of the London Police Service quickly arrest a suspect and prevent any action the individual might have taken – action that could have cost the lives of innocent people and resulted in terrible suffering.
Brothers, I am well aware that you recently went through a very tough round of bargaining in which, among other things, you sought much-needed improvements in safety and training, as well as wage parity with other campus police services. A huge rally drew widespread support – and this arrest helps to explain why the campus community has such respect for you and recognizes the need for your continued presence in their midst.
Today, thanks to you, students and workers can go about their daily activities, knowing that, while we live in an increasingly dangerous world, they are protected by an increasingly effective – and vigilant – campus police service.
As President of OPSEU, I am very proud to know our union represents members who demonstrate real dedication to their work and carry it out so effectively. Once again, thank you – not just for stopping a potential killer, but for your constant efforts to keep Ontarians out of harm’s way.
Sincerely,
Warren (Smokey) Thomas
President, Ontario Public Service Employees Union
c: OPSEU Executive Board
Julie McGuffin, President, OPSEU Local 102
Letter from Warren (Smokey) Thomas to Campus Community Police Service