February is Black History Month
Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities.
The Cornwall Police Service is proudly celebrating the Black employees who are members of our police service and who contribute to keeping the citizens of Cornwall safe every day.
Learn more about these members below:
Constable Raheem Aman #471
Cst. Raheem Aman was born in Mississauga, Ontario in 1993. He grew up in Brampton and Hamilton, and now currently resides in Cornwall, where he has lived for approximately five years. During his time in Cornwall, Cst. Aman married his wife and bought a home with her. His father is from Barbados and and his mother's background is Jamaican. Prior to joining policing, he attended McMaster University, majoring in Honors Justice, Political Philosophy and Law. Additionally, he underwent Canadian Army Officer Training before joining the Cornwall Police Service.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
To me, Black History Month is about working to undo an all-too-common narrative and belief that Africans or Black people have done nothing to advance or add significant value to human civilization, beyond feats in sports and entertainment. Celebrating Black History to me is about healing intergenerational trauma that is passed down from generation to generation in the postcolonial era. I must add that the intent is not to take away from the accomplishments of any other groups, but rather to let the world know what we have offered to add value to society, inspiring our young people to continue to add positive value to society-at-large.
Why did you choose a career in policing?
I chose a career in policing for two main reasons. Firstly, to serve and protect the community. There must be order in society in the interest of civility. People deserve to have themselves, their property, and their assets protected at all times. Secondly, I intend on assisting in the process of mending race relations between law enforcement and the Black community. This includes shifting the way law enforcement officers perceive and are perceived by members of our many diverse communities. This requires establishing and, in some instances, re-establishing trust. By assisting the Cornwall Police Service in reflecting the demographics of the communities in which we serve, I wish to aid in this process.
What do you most look forward to in your policing career?
As I am just at the beginning of my policing career, I most look forward to interacting with the public in a positive and meaningful way. I also wish to have opportunities to engage with various local community groups. I want to create and be involved in increasing community outreach in this way.
How do you stay involved in your community?
Community involvement is what defines who I am and what I stand for. I have joined the Association of Black Law Enforcers (ABLE) of Canada and have recently had the honor of being invited to a Black History Month celebration hosted by the African Canadian Senate Group (ACSG). I am one of the founders of the African Caribbean Cultural Society (ACCS) of Cornwall, a not-for-profit which meets monthly in order to showcase our cultural contributions to society, work with other community groups, and to give back, and I was honored to have served as their first president. I am a member of Solomon Lodge No. 26, of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ontario and Jurisdiction which meets monthly in Ottawa, Ontario to assist in community development and philanthropic initiatives. And finally, I am a member of the Shrine of Ma’at in Harlem, New York, USA, which is a spiritual organization rooted in ancient African spirituality.
Anything else you would like to share?
I am honoured to be able to assist in the service and protection of this great community. I am devoted to being the very best I can be to add value to each and every one of you to the absolute best of my ability. Thank you for allowing me to share a little bit of my story with you.
Constable Andrew Booth-Reddick #466
Constable Andrew Booth-Reddick started his career with the Cornwall Police Service in 2021 as a Front-Line Patrol Officer. Previously, Cst. Booth-Reddick served as an Auxiliary Officer and Dispatch/Communicator between 2013 and 2017. Cst. Booth-Reddick has served in the Canadian Armed Forces Infantry as well as an Instructor with the Parliamentary Protective Services. He is currently the General Duties officer in Front Line Patrol. He is looking forward to one day being able to move into a specialized unit to help the community in a meaningful way.
Why did you choose a career in policing?
I grew up in multiple regions in Quebec, Eastern and Central Ontario and always had positive police interactions wherever I would be. I grew up interested in comics and always admired those who would help people in need. I still remember an occurrence in my youth that involved a front-line patrol officer, who during the situation was kind, understanding and empathetic and showed me the true meaning of what being a hero was. He was someone I looked up to and respected.
These positive experiences made me consider policing as a profession. During that time I had been through many careers from a Mobile Security, Loss Prevention agent, a close protection officer for celebrities, Canadian Forces Infantry soldier and Parliamentary Protection Officer Instructor. When I became a Police Dispatcher with the Cornwall Police Service where I could observe the career of policing up close, that’s when I turned my focus to becoming a police officer.
Like any other dream career, hurdles and obstacles presented themselves, however with determination, education and inspirations from experienced police officers, family and friends, I pushed ahead and received the hiring call, one of the proudest achievements of my life.
What is a career highlight from your policing career?
A major highlight in my Policing Career was starting in the Northern Inuit communities of Northern Quebec as a front-line patrol officer. There I was able to understand the true values of diversity, equity and inclusion. While using community involvement to develop rapport and including myself in the cultural events, this aided me and my team in this isolated area to develop a police/community rapport which assisted in created a safer village for all to enjoy. When we worked together with the community, it felt as if there was nothing, we could not accomplish which created a great community and work environment. After being accepted as an experienced officer, I returned to the Cornwall Police Service, now as a front-line officer, where I continue to develop those community rapport skills to assist in created a safer Cornwall for all those to enjoy.
What advice do you have for anyone thinking of starting a career with CPS?
I would tell people that they are considering a great police service and a great career choice! The CPS has allowed me to work in a great team atmosphere and do exciting work on a regular basis.
I have received numerous training opportunities and work with officers that range from diverse backgrounds. I have had the opportunity to respond and investigate a multiple range of calls and have been able to see my investigations from start to end.
With the family-oriented spirit, welcoming mentality and the strive to succeed of the teams, it has created a great place to be settled in and a bright future ahead.
How do you stay involved in your community?
I continue to stay involved by speaking to many members of the community on a daily basis. I attend many community parks and events while on patrol. I continue to make positive interactions and work within the CPS committees to better understand our objectives for our community programs and continue to be a positive change within and outside the service.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
What Black History Month means to me is a time to remember how far our culture has come in the recent years and to remember those who stood tall against adversity to bring our race to where we stand today. Recognizing those who have come before me and to honor those contributions not only in this month of remembrance, but everyday. It also means to me that history has proven that when we stand together, every diversity, we can push through any obstacles and that is an objective I take forward with me for my life and my career.