Why Canadian cops are tops

Cst. Andrea Cohen was in the middle of her patrol shift and between calls on September 21, 2019 when she spotted a disabled car on the side of Mann Avenue.

“Two women were outside of the car and they looked lost, so I stopped to see if I could help,” said Cst. Cohen, who has been an Ottawa Police Service officer for 17 years.

One of the women was from Amsterdam and the other was from Toronto. They were visiting their two adult sons in Ottawa when they ran out of gas. The young men had already set off on foot for the nearest gas station.

“I knew they had a fair distance to walk, so I offered to go after them in my cruiser and drive them the rest of the way,” said Cst. Cohen.

It was a good thing she did. The gas station they went to didn’t sell jerry cans and the next closest gas station was in Vanier. Cst. Cohen drove them there and back to the car so the family could be on their way to Toronto.

A week later, Cst. Cohen received a Facebook message from the grateful visitor, who mentioned police in her city would not have stopped in a similar situation.

“You are a caring professional who made us feel safe. Much respect and love to you, Officer Cohen,” said Leticia in her message.

Leticia told Cst. Cohen if she ever finds herself in Amsterdam, to look her up so she can show her around her city.