Sgt. Hotston makes his comments just as Police Week begins in Ontario, from May 9 to 15. The emphasis this year will be on building safer communities through partnerships.

Sgt. Hotston says he knows police forces in Canada are "well-thought of, worldwide."

"As emerging nations try to develop their police services, (Canada's) often thought of as an example," he says, citing Haiti and other areas around the world where Canadian police have made a difference.

Sgt. Hotston says he believes, to some extent at least, Canadians take that for granted. "It seems only when something negative is going on do people think about policing. But people need to know, on a daily basis, there are thousands of police officers doing their jobs."

Part of their success, says Sgt. Hotston, is the fact that police services link up with many community groups throughout the year, and on an ongoing basis. That's why the theme 'Crime Prevention Partnerships - Safer Communities,' is the theme this year, to focus on those community partnerships and to promote personal and public safety.

"More people have been recognizing, over the years, that policing is a co-operative effort," he notes.

Members of the police service and community partners will be at Landowne Place Mall throughout the week with displays about home and personal security, Internet safety and boating and cycling safety.

On May 12, the Knights of Columbus will host an evening reception, acknowledging police services in the community. In turn, Peterborough-Lakefield police will acknowledge services by individuals in the community through an awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Such themes as individual acts of bravery, life-saving actions, apprehension of offenders and prevention will be recognized.

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