Divine help never hurts, says police chief, as new flag gets its blessing

In keeping with an old military tradition which has been carried on by law enforcement officers, Sault Police held a drumhead ceremony to bless the service’s new flag at the Sault Police building’s Constable Don Doucet Training Classroom Thursday.

“For me this has special significance,” said Sault Police Chief Hugh Stevenson.

“My upbringing was in the church, and I think it’s important to recognize there are higher powers out there that are helping us every day, and when we talk about the Creator or our Lord and Saviour, that speaks to what we do every day.”

“For our front line officers, our civilian staff who deal with people in crisis every day, it’s very important to acknowledge they have a difficult job...and they need a higher power’s blessing,” Stevenson said.

“It’s a challenging career and having that additional help from above never hurts,” Stevenson added, speaking to SooToday.  

The flag was brought into the classroom followed by retired Sault Police Staff Sergeant Sandy Ross playing the bagpipes, Sault Police Sergeant Ray Magnan, retired OPP Detective Steve Gjos (representing the Metis Nation) and the eagle staff.

Other VIPs in attendance included Lieutenant-Colonel Lance Knox, 49th (Sault Ste. Marie) Field Regiment commanding officer, Jerry Lazoryk, Sault police chaplain, Joe Tom Sayers, Algoma University Anishinaabe Initiatives director, Batchewana and Wikwemikong First Nation territories officials, Donna Hilsinger, Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board chair and Sandra Paul, representing Sault MP Terry Sheehan.

Stevenson received the flag from Magnan and placed it on top of the drums.

That was followed by traditional Indigenous blessings from dancers and singer/drummer Logan Syrette.

Jerry Lazoryk, Sault police chaplain, said a prayer in blessing the Sault Police flag.

“For centuries, soldiers about to go into battle would ask for divine help and guidance for what were known to be difficult times ahead. Because of the distances to be covered, and lacking any means of transport for the soldiers to go to church, the regimental padre would conduct a service in the field. This called for a platform upon which he could place his Bible and other pieces of equipment that were required to conduct a formal service. Lacking any other means of an altar, the regimental drums were put into service by sticking them into layers to serve as a temporary altar,” said Constable Sonny Spina, providing historical context for Thursday’s ceremony.

A new City of Sault Ste. Marie coat of arms, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service badge and flag was approved by the Canadian Heraldic Authority and then Governor-General David Johnston in 2015.

“This ceremony is one more part of a process. These things take time, this flag had to be manufactured and one thing we wanted to do is get a proper, traditional blessing of it,” said Sergeant Ray Magnan.