Jamie Adjetey-Nelson says communication, inclusion key to community policingJamie Adjetey-Nelson says communication, inclusion key to community policing

Communication key asset for outreach constable

Police cannot do their jobs without the support of the communities they serve, says Jamie Adjetey-Nelson (BA 2007, B.Ed 2009). That’s why he believes his appointment this month as diversity, inclusion, and recruitment outreach officer for Windsor Police Services is such a crucial role.

“The value of diversity and inclusion has always been there,” he says. “It’s key for us to maintain communication with marginalized and racialized groups — and representation is part of that.”

Adjetey-Nelson took on the job after serving first as a patrol officer and more recently in Windsor Police’s community service branch. He says his training in education provided a grounding for police work.

“When you’re a high school liaison officer, you’re not there to police the kids,” he says. “It’s like being a teacher. You talk to them about drugs, about safety, about being aware, as well as the law.”

In trying to be relatable, he draws on his own experiences as a Black man and as a world-class athlete who won gold in the decathlon at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, earned Lancer male athlete of the year honours in 2009, and was inducted into the Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

“The first part I always try to do is humanize police officers,” says Adjetey-Nelson. “It helps when you start telling about yourself and where you came from.

“I let them know I was an athlete, I was on student council, I was in choir. I’m more than just a uniform.”

He says recruiting isn’t about convincing someone they want to become a police officer: “It’s about talking to them about what they want to do.”

For Adjetey-Nelson, his motivation was wanting people to feel secure.

“We need people to feel safe to communicate with police,” he says. “It’s about being open to discussion.”

And for that, he says, the police service must reflect the entire community.

“A lot of people, when they talk about diversity, it’s about ethnicity, but the word has many meanings,” Adjetey-Nelson says. “It’s what that person brings in their life in general that’s diverse.”

A lesson he drew from his UWindsor days is that no effort is wasted.

“The University is huge, and no part is too small to a make contribution,” he observes. “Everything I do helps to the success of the organization as a whole.”

He invites educators, colleagues, and peers to send his way anyone they think would make a good police officer: “I’ll mentor anyone who wants to be mentored.”

Jenny’s Vision is one of three local films that will enjoy national broadcast Sept. 18 on CBC television as part of its Absolutely Canadian series showcasing unique stories from communities across Canada.Maria Belenkova-Buford is hopeful her short doc could change someone's life

Film student projects to find national audience

The most rewarding part of filming her short documentary Jenny’s Vision is the thought that its message of hope could change someone’s life, says Maria Belenkova-Buford.

A film student, she tells the story of an artist with a visual disability.

“Jenny has some challenges she had to overcome,” says Belenkova-Buford. “My film shows how you can still create while having a major impairment.”

It is one of three local films that will enjoy national broadcast Sept. 18 on CBC television as part of its Absolutely Canadian series showcasing unique stories from communities across Canada.

Entitled “Reel Shorts: Windsor,” the episode is curated and produced by filmmakers Theodore Bezaire and Michael Stasko, a faculty member in the Department of Communication, Media, and Film. In addition to Jenny’s Vision, it features Journey Back to Jackson Park by drama grad Audra Gray (BFA 2003) and Jackson Park Band Shell by Madeline Mazak (BA 2017). It will air at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

A full one-hour program which expands the playbill to include Understanding Differences by Lourdes Lasala (BA 2021), Big Little Show by Gemma Cunial (BA 2019, MFA 2021), and Lethe by Adam Dunn (BA 2017, MFA 2021), will be available for streaming on CBC Gem.

Belenkova-Buford earned a degree in accounting from the Odette School of Business in 2005. She says she is using what she learned there to her new avocation.

“I see that I’m applying more and more of my business skills in film-making,” she says. “Leveraging resources and marketing opportunities to bring my projects a little bit further.”

Jenny’s Vision was selected for screening later this month at the Seize the Film festival in Serbia, the FLOW Film Festival in Sunrise, Florida, and the Celebrating Abilities Virtual Film Festival hosted by the College of Adaptive Arts in Saratoga, California.

In the two weeks since the Smoke-Free Campus Policy came into effect on Sept. 1, the focus has been on raising awareness and public education,Smoke-Free Campus initiative aims to create safer and healthier environment

Breathe easy: campus making smooth transition to smoke-free

In the two weeks since the Smoke-Free Campus Policy came into effect on Sept. 1, the focus has been on raising awareness and public education, says Marcela Ciampa, director of organizational development and training in the Department of Human Resources.

“The aim of our policy is to create a safer and healthier environment for working and learning,” she says. “These policies are proven to contribute to building a healthy community by reducing smoking and vaping prevalence and the adverse effects of second-hand smoke, vaping, and tobacco use.”

She says education is key as the campus community adjusts to the smoke-free policy. Signage has been posted around the campus and communication sent to faculty, staff, and students, but still, she says, not all may be aware what it means to be smoke-free.

“If you observe someone smoking or vaping on campus, we encourage you to approach the individual respectfully and politely. The SMOKE acronym, adapted from Mc Master University, can help you navigate these difficult conversations,” she says.

S – Smile and introduce yourself as you approach (but remember to physically distance)

M – Make the assumption that the person isn’t aware of the change.

O – Offer information about the policy.

K – Kindly and respectfully ask the person to stop smoking or vaping and point to the nearest location where they can smoke.

E – Encourage them to visit the Smoke-Free Campus website for information and supports.

The Smoke-Free Campus signs have a QR code that can easily connect anyone to information, resources, and supports including a map showing the areas where smoking is not permitted, Ciampa says. The campus community can send suggestions for areas where signage should be added or monitoring increased to smokefreecampus@uwindsor.ca.

 

Third-year nursing student Vaani Moudgil, Miss Windsor World 2021, is raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada.Third-year nursing student Vaani Moudgil, Miss Windsor World 2021, is raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada.

Pageant contestant seeking support

Third-year nursing student Vaani Moudgil is hoping her pursuit of the Miss World Canada crown will make a difference in the lives of children.

Moudgil holds the title of Miss Windsor World 2021 and is now competing against contestants from across Canada for the honour of representing the country in the international competition. Her responsibilities include raising funds for causes that matter, and she has adopted the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada, which provides children with critical illnesses the opportunity to realize their most heartfelt wish.

“Any donation will help make an impact,” says Moudgil. “Together we can help fulfill wishes of children with critical illnesses and make them believe that anything is possible.” To contribute, visit her campaign website.

Lancer Gaming esports programLancer Gaming Rocket League squad finalized

Lancer Gaming announces inaugural Rocket League squad

Lancer Gaming is pleased to announce its inaugural Rocket League squad will be led by newly appointed head coach, Yusuf Naebkhil. 

For more information on the squad roster and details about Lancer Gaming click here.