One boy makes a big difference

December 22, 2022
Winnipeg, Manitoba

News release

Images

Assistant Commissioner Rob Hill, Lincoln Boyer, and Commissioner Brenda Lucki show their bracelets
Lincoln Boyer and Staff Sergeant Jason Vrooman in the RCMP TAV
Lincoln and Operational Call Centre operator checking in on officers

Lincoln Boyer, a 13-year-old boy from Morris, Manitoba, paid the RCMP a visit on December 14, 2022, at the express request of the Commissioner of the RCMP, Brenda Lucki, and Commanding Officer of the Manitoba RCMP, Assistant Commissioner Rob Hill.

Lincoln has been on a mission to change the public's perception of the RCMP—the force he hopes to join someday. He knew that the officers at his local detachment were "real life heroes right here in our community" and decided to let them know. He made four promises:

  1. To bring snacks to the local detachment in Morris;
  2. To send postcards to RCMP officers around the country so they would feel worthy and appreciated;
  3. To make sure RCMP Appreciation Day is celebrated by everyone; and
  4. To be an ambassador and try to improve the relationship between youth and officers in his community.

Detachments throughout Canada received a postcard that read, "Thank you. In case you haven't heard it today ……… You are Awesome!!" Lincoln included a poignant message to officers: "because of all the noise, you may not hear us now, but there are millions of people who love and appreciate you. I am one of them!"

Officers were so touched by his postcard and his wish to join their ranks that they began to reply with letters of their own. He also received Challenge Coins (an RCMP tradition where coins represent different units and teams), his own nametag written in Inuktituk, and a shoulder patch with significant meaning to the officer.

Once the Commanding Officer and the Commissioner learned of Lincoln's efforts, they requested to meet him and thank him for supporting RCMP officers across the country.

Lincoln was escorted by Constable Gilles Gravelle, the first officer he had befriended, along with Staff Sergeant Jason Vrooman and Corporal Pierre Demers. Over six months, these officers built a strong bond with Lincoln, finding time to answer his questions and encouraging him in his dream to join the RCMP. His mother, Sharlie Boyer, explained that these officers have have taught Lincoln about friendship, kindness, and hard work.

Commissioner Lucki was honoured to meet Lincoln and thank him in person for his own impact on officers across the country. "You made my day, Lincoln, when I saw your letter," said Commissioner Lucki. "I will keep this forever." The two went on to discuss their love of golf, and how hard it can be to be judged by what other people say. "Always treat people with dignity and respect," said the Commissioner, highlighting a quote she always keeps close to hand: "When they go low, I go high."

Lincoln told them, "I want to be an RCMP officer so I can be a hero like you." He went on to explain why he considers the Commissioner a hero. "She is the first woman to be the Commissioner. That must be really hard. And you have to be pretty special if you are always going to put yourself in danger's way to protect someone you don't know."

Lincoln presented Commissioner Lucki and Assistant Commissioner Hill with bracelets that read "Prove Them Wrong" and "Us Against the World." He told them that he was given these bracelets to help him through some struggles, and he hoped they would help the officers when times get tough.

"I was excited and nervous coming to HQ," said Lincoln. "I was meeting some very important people and I just didn't want to mess up!"

Ultimately, Lincoln's philosophy is pretty simple: "You can do anything if you just try."

Assistant Commissioner Hill was thrilled to host Lincoln. "It was a morale booster, to be sure. His mission suits him, because he is so positive. He has made such a far-reaching difference with his simple act of sending out some postcards to our officers. He has let them know they matter, and that the important work they do is seen and appreciated. We need more Lincolns in the world, but I also recognize he is absolutely one of a kind."

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Contact information

Tara Seel, Media Relations Officer
RCMP Media Relations
204-983-8497

www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mb
Twitter @rcmpmb | @GRCManitoba
http://www.facebook.com/rcmpmb | https://www.facebook.com/GRCManitoba

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