Heroes Come in All Sizes

When you think of a hero maybe you think of a police officer, a firefighter, or maybe even an accountant. But there are many other types of heroes fighting a battle we never wish to fight.

In 2016 Peel Regional Police Constable Anthony Matias would visit his son in the hospital while wearing his uniform. He noticed how the uniform brought instant smiles, joy, and strength to the other paediatric patients after he had spent time there.  This inspired an idea, and Anthony started Little Heroes, where Police Officers, Firefighters, and Paramedics collectively show support, bring smiles, gifts, and spend time with paediatric patients and paediatric oncology patients, all with the hope to show them that they are our Little Heroes.

In July 2018 Little Heroes gave a 12 year old paediatric oncology patient an opportunity to have a “Police Officer for a Day” experience.

As a 'Police Officer for a Day' the child was picked up by his Training Officers at his home where he was given his police uniform.  He was then brought to 12 Division where the Superintendent and Inspector presented him with his badge.  His first task of the day was to help the Staff Sergeant book a prisoner into a jail cell. He quickly moved onto helping Detectives interrogate a suspect, followed by spending time with our Bike Officers.  At that point he received a radio call to attend 180 Derry as the Tactical Unit requested his assistance.  Once there, he met with officers from all branches of Emergency Support Services where he learned about what they do and the special equipment used to do it.  This included riding on the Marine Unit boat (on a trailer), playing with the Explosive Disposal Unit robot, seeing the police drone in action, and meeting Police Service Dog Otto. 

The vision for ‘Little Heroes’ is to expand visits to more hospitals in the hopes of bringing more smiles because if anyone needs a break from life it’s our ‘Little Heroes’.

All of the officers that had a chance to meet the little hero that day truly felt that he was a hero.