CKPS officers recognized for their life saving efforts. June 8, 2022. (Photo via CKPS)CKPS officers recognized for their life saving efforts. June 8, 2022. (Photo via CKPS)
Chatham

Chatham family thanks police for helping their suicidal son

A group of Chatham-Kent police officers and members have been recognized for their life saving efforts.

The VanPuymbroeck family lost their son Robert Martin to suicide on April 8, 2022 after years of struggling with mental illness.

Robert's mother, Leonie VanPuymbroeck, said the idea to recognize police came from the family because the group deserves to be recognized following several calls for help over a four year period. Leonie said it's important to recognize the "wonderful human beings" who helped her son and not just highlight the problems with the system.

"Unfortunately, our officers are scrutinized and criticized and I thought they should also be thanked for their compassion and their empathy," said Mrs. VanPuymbroeck.

Leonie has also filed a complaint with Ontario's Patient Ombudsman in hopes of improving mental health services, but hasn't heard a reply.

"The psychiatric floor of our hospital really needs an overhaul. It looks like a prison, it's deplorable actually and I have to try and do what I can to change how things are done there," she said.

The family is blaming a Chatham hospital psychiatrist for their son’s suicide because they allege the doctor didn’t provide adequate care for the man and released him from the hospital too early. The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance said it is reviewing the matter.

On Wednesday at the monthly police services board meeting, Constables Ed Rota, Kelly McCormack, Gary Oriet, Curtis Conn, Jessica Butler, Andrew Brown, Josh Rose, Dan Carroll, Steve Hubley, Sergeant Mike Hakr, Emergency Communications Operator Brock Bechard, and Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Psychiatric Assessment Nurse Christine Cogghe received letters of recognition from Deputy Police Chief Kirk Earley and Mister and Mrs. VanPuymbroeck.

Leonie said helping to present the letters was very therapeutic and fighting for mental health improvements is helping her with the grieving process.

"Actually today really helped because today is the two month anniversary of Robert's death and being at the police station today and seeing those wonderful people really helped me today and fighting for change really helps," said Leonie.

Deputy Police Chief Kirk Earley wrote in the letter that the empathetic, compassionate, and composed demeanor of the responding officers and Emergency Communications Manager will remain "forever etched" in the loving memory of Robert's mother and father.

"Your kindness, compassion and professionalism exhibited our core values and further demonstrated a commitment to the safety and protection of our community," wrote Earley.

Earley wrote that police had to attend to Robert wandering the streets in the cold, unsure of where he lived, going in and out of strangers' vehicles, and threats of suicide. The deputy chief also said in many cases officers would use crisis de-escalation techniques in order to calm him down, actively listen to him, and ultimately get him assessed and admitted into the hospital to get treatment.

Police Chief Gary Conn conveyed his condolences to the family, saying no words could ever take away the grief of losing a child. The chief hopes the presentation helps find the family some closure.

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