The following is a release from East Region OPP:
EAST REGION OPP SHOWCASE OFFICERS
A day in the life PC Mike Draaistra
A day in the life of PC Mike Draaistra of the Prince Edward County OPP. PC Draaistra joined the OPP less than a year ago in April 2021. PC Draaistra has enjoyed his first year as an OPP officer and looks forward to a long and rewarding career.
When he arrived at detachment in October he was coached by PC Rylott. Mike has since earned his “day wings” but he still is patrolling with his coach on night shifts for now. His coach officer works every day that he works and keeps an eye and ear out during their shifts. They work together on a variety of calls and Mike learns daily from his coach officer.
Before joining the police, Mike was a child protection worker with Children’s Aid Society for five years. Mike earned a degree in Criminology and Psychology at the University of Ottawa and received further education at Loyalist College taking police foundations. Mike also worked for Bayfield treatment working with youth for some time.
PC Draaistra called Brighton home while growing up and is happy to be back working in the area.
He enjoys spending time with family. His parents and two sisters live in the area and are fortunate to be able to spend time together.
Outside of work Mike enjoys family, friends and being social. He is very active by being either out on the water or on the ATV at the cottage.
Mike can be found playing sports either on the ice playing hockey or on the field kicking the soccer ball for some outdoor fun.
Mike joined the Police because he has had it as his goal for many years following a student co-op placement at the Quinte West OPP Detachment around 11 years ago.
That placement gave him an introduction to the career of policing. He enjoyed the people and the work. So he decided to set up his education towards this career and gained work experience following his education that provided the necessary skills to apply to become a OPP officer.
A day in the life of an OPP officer usually starts with a little catch up with detachment issues and then out to patrol the area. Mike likes to get out on the road to start his day to seek out traffic issue or problem areas.
The day provides a variety of calls for service including family disputes, domestics, and mental health calls to name a few.
PC Draaistra explains that listening for shiftmates, making sure you are there for help, and being able to jump in for backup when necessary is an extremely important part of the job.
Mike enjoys foot patrol and interacting with public. He is looking forward to the busy summer season when The Sandbanks open with lots of tourist at the beaches. PC Draaistra says he enjoys talking to people and learning their stories,
Early in his career his most memorable call involved a youth that had barricaded himself in a residence. Seeing the teamwork come together for a safe and positive resolution was wonderful to experience.
Mike has also enjoyed assisting people struggling with mental health issues and getting them the help they need, pointing them to the appropriate services in our community.
His future goals in the OPP, being so new, he feels he still has a lot to learn, but does enjoy the investigative side of policing and he may pursue that avenue.
