Enthusiasm, pride, integrity.
These are just some of the ways Kevin Ford’s work family describes him.
This week, Ford and his co-workers shared a lot of laughs as they celebrated his 20th work anniversary at the South Porcupine OPP detachment.
The 46-year-old started at the detachment in 1998 through Community Living’s supportive employment program.
For his anniversary, co-workers shared kind words and funny stories about their time with Ford, and OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes even called in via video to take part.
“It feels good to be appreciated for the work you do,” Ford said.
While he may not have thought that he would be at the station 20 years when he started, he loves his job and spending time with the people he says feel like part of his extended family.
“Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 I come in and say good morning to everybody before I start my cars, talk to everybody then go clean my cars,” Ford explained.
Through Ford’s work, Marc Depatie said he is helping maintain the image of the OPP.
“The image that the general public gets about a police officer is instantly made with how that officer pays attention to his uniform and his vehicle is an extension of that uniform. So when a member of the public is in a police car to give a testimonial as to what happened in an accident, or what have you, if that cruiser looks like some sort of frat house that was decorated by Tim Hortons, that’s a poor reflection on the profession of policing, and the OPP and that particular officer. “The officers are in your debt for the effort and enthusiasm that you bring to the workplace every day.”
For the supportive employment program, Community Living’s Lori Crispo explained the organization works with people over the age of 18 who have intellectual disabilities.
“Kevin was kind of a perfect match for here based on personality, and he had already been here as part of the grass cutting,” Crispo said. “When the opening came up for the vehicle cleaning, he was just a perfect fit.”
South Porcupine OPP detachment commander Dan Foy said Ford has played a big part in the OPP family.
“I’m very proud to know that our partnership with Community Living is one of the longest standing ones in the City of Timmins. I think that it’s been a success, people know that 20 years in a partnership with another agency, you don’t see that too often. It’s in great part of who you are and what you do with us, so the success of that partnership is entirely because of you,” Foy said.
It’s not all business when Ford shows up to work.
He shares his passion for life and hockey with those around him.
An avid Chicago Blackhawks fan, he writes poetry and songs, and has a collection of 82,000 hockey cards.
“You do go to yard sales and somehow you’re able to ferret out where the hockey cards are. And to go beyond that, he’ll find a hockey card from some ancient hockey player and send it to him to have it signed,” Depatie said.
