An alumnus from Algonquin’s Business Administration program, Wally attended Ottawa University to further hone his skills and started his career as an auditor with the Federal Government. Some time later he realized this was not his path and joined the Ottawa Police in 1988.
The most reliable schedule for his young family was with the Patrol section on which he served for 15 years. The energy and positivity of having co-workers who shared the same mindset and philosophy in helping the public was rewarding. He worked in urban Ottawa for 11 years followed by four years in rural Ottawa with the rebranded Ottawa Carleton Regional Police.
From there Wally became a Reconstructionist in the Investigations department, with the bulk of the work involving fatal motor vehicle collisions and the rest involving industrial accidents and suspicious deaths.
The desire to help and train others started early. He mentored or coached six new recruits and later as a Sargent did the same for other investigators and Patrol officers. The teaching bug burgeoned and Wally became an instructor for various Reconstruction, Investigative and Supervisory courses with the Ottawa Police and Reconstruction and Investigations at the OPP Academy in Orillia.
Wally was the co-author of a Motorcycle Reconstruction course that was attended by police officers from BC to Newfoundland.
Wally finished off his last three years back where it all started, on Patrol as an non-commissioned officer and retired on Jan 31st, 2021. In his own words, “Working with the new constables was a thrill as their thirst to learn is insatiable and the youthful and positive perspective on life is a complete recharge and buzz. We have so much to offer for each other, we never finish learning and developing.”
Wally has been a part-time teacher at Algonquin College for the last 4+ years and instantly knew this was what he was destined for after retiring. “I honestly do believe we learn from each other and become stronger for it. Dreams do come true.”