Hard Hats and Hammers in Hand, Officers Help Build Homes for the Community

Thirteen officers got together on their day off this week to help build thirteen homes on McLaughlin Road in Brampton. The volunteers spent the day building trust and relationships in the community while building homes.

Habitat for Humanity is an organization that relies on volunteers to build homes and provide working, lower income families with affordable homes. Constable Ricardo Cameron volunteered for the organization for two years prior to joining Peel Regional Police, helping build homes in Brampton and Toronto.  When the platoon was looking to give back to the community, Constable Cameron suggested Habitat for Humanity.

“I think this is great because it’s not only a way to give back to the community, you also learn a skill and get an opportunity to bond as a shift in a way that’s not only responding to calls. It’s a team effort, and a good way to build group fellowship,” Cameron said.

Sergeant Joel Genoe and Constable Ricardo Cameron reached out to event coordinators to organize a group build day. There was no lack of volunteers, and spots were filled within a week. Participants were eager to.  

 “We were looking for a different way to give back to the community. I think this is great because this is a day of teambuilding for our platoon, where everyone gets to learn a transferable skill but also we get to help build a home for someone in our community. Nothing better than knowing that as a result of everyone’s hard work, a family will get a home,” said Sergeant Genoe.