Cst. Isabelle Ouellette: I know I've made a difference in people's lives

When I was five, I knew I wanted to be a police officer. No one in my family was in policing, but for some reason, that’s what I wanted to do, and it never changed. I got a degree in criminology from the University of Ottawa. The only service I applied to was Ottawa Police so I could be near family. I’ve been here for 24 years. I’ve enjoyed it all, but I loved being a School Resource Officer. You get kids heading in the wrong direction and you have the chance to show them what’s going to happen if they continue. When they get it and change, it’s amazing. Or talking to struggling parents who take my advice or use the resources I provide and life changes for the better. I currently work in the Elder Abuse Section. We have so many calls from people who don’t know what to do about their aging parents and are looking to police for solutions. The best feeling of all though, is rescuing an elderly person from an abusive situation and bringing them to safety. I know I’ve made a difference in people’s lives.