scdimemiensiememienenan meme ene ees Counsellin WHILE THE Mod Squad used to patrol the streets of Los Angeles years ago fighting crime cn a weekly television show, the God Squad once roamed the streets of North Vancouver offering counselling to the victims of crime. By Surj Rattan News Reporter Seven years ago that role was taken up by Sylvia Hockley, who, aiong with partner Linda Thorp, is one of two designated police counsellors working for the North Vancouver RCMP. Hockley said the local police detachment: felt there was a need for someone to counsel the victims of crime in North Vancouver and that led to the creation of the God Squad. “It all started with the God Squad. They were a group of ministers who went out on the Streets to talk to the victims of crime. But they all had fuil-time jobs and couldn't handle the workload,”’ said Hockley. As a police counsellor, she works five days a week and is on call 24 hours a day. Her partner, Thorp, has been a police counsellor for the past two years, She works the weekend shift and is also on call 24 hours a day. Hockley said the two are often called to a crime scene, because it is important for the victims of crime to receive counselling as soon as possible. “Anything that is critical and now, we deal with. When I get a call at 2 a.m., you don’t know (in ( AF NEWS photo Mike Wakefield NORTH VANCOUVER RCMP counsellors Sylvia Hockley, left, and Linda Thorp go over a case file. The pair helps comfort the victiins of crime. what it’s going to be. You really have to use your wits and com- mon sense,’* said Hockley. Police counsellors only take referrals from the RCMP and not the community at large. Hocktey said if the police have been calied to an incident, a police counsellor can be called and will respond iminediately. The police can also counsellors upon request. Hockley said some of the more commen incidents a_ police refer » JUST IN THME | PRICES STARTING FROM... 1 ‘93 REGULAR CABS...$9,995 193 KING CABS........ $7 L8ae '93 KING CAB V6..$13,395 counsellor will respoad to include: @ sudden deaths and sudden in- fant deaths (to assist the family in coping with their loss and grief}; @ next-of-kin notification (they accompany the police to inform the family of a death); @ attempted suicide in progress or afier an attempt or in the case of a suicide; @ sexual assaults (they attend to the victim as soon as possible to provide support and assistance through the reporting process); wares am, AFTER YOU SHOP & BEFORE YOU BUY | WILLIE (HOSS) SAYS... -\ DON’T WAIT FOR SANTA, SPOIL THE ONE YOU LOVE... YOURSELF. NISSAN = 134 HP — MAZDA = 85 HP | TOYOTA = 115 HP ‘93 REG CAB 4x4......$ 139s ‘93 KING CAB 4x4..... $15,905 '93 KING CAB SE 4x4.$17,395 @ armed robberies (to provide immediate support and informa- tion to the victim); © domestic disputes (to with families in crisis); @ any situation in which an indi- viduai’s emotional needs require immediate attention. Hockiey said another iiaportant tole the two police counsellors assist Z LEVOLOR, g the victims of crime play is in helping RCMP members and their support staff with any personal or career-related prob- lems they may be experiencing. “It is a designated person for them to come and talk to about what is happening in their lives and then refer them to someone cise. “We're trying to provide a ser- vice for them because of the high-stress and high-risk job they have. “We often will go out on ride-atongs with ike police, We want lO get to know them,’’ said Hockley. Thorp said that while they may not always hear about it, it is im- portant for the police counsellors to believe they are making a dif- ference in people’s lives. “You have to believe that you are raking a difference otherwise it would be hard to do this job,” said Thorp. Hockley added that one of the hardest parts of the job is trying to convince people that they need help when they are denying that there is a problem. “When you're talking to them, and they’re on the other side of the bars, it’s hard to deny that something is wrong. That’s the most challenging part for me,” said Hockley. She added thar the North Van- couver RCMP detachment is luck- er than most because not ail RCMP detachments have police counsellors. The local program is paid for by both the City and District of North Vancouver on a contract basis. OFF Sugg. Retali Ask about our other specials Vertical Blinds Only Unlimited Selection cf Colours and Fabrics Offer ends Nov. 30/92. A SHADE BETTER s 4 d Specializiig in Binds and Draperies for Gver 7 years 41877 Marine Drive, N.Van. 984-4104 #4-38918 Progress Way, Squamish 892-5857 Whistler 932.6617