TRURO, N.S. – There are two new faces at the Truro Police Service.
Michael Young and Jinhoe “JK” Kim are new constables on the force and they’re full of enthusiasm.
Const. Michael Young
Michael Young is following in the policing footsteps of his father.
“He was in the RCMP and I saw the respect he showed the community and the respect he earned,” he said. “I wanted to be a police officer because I could be a good role model for kids and give back to the community, and I like the job.”
Young wanted to work with a municipal police service so he would be able to settle in one spot, so he enrolled at the Atlantic Police Academy, graduating last September.
“I was born in Newfoundland, but lived in four provinces, two territories and one state while I was growing up,” he said. “I wanted to live in a small town and I’d been living in Truro for about three-and-a-half years and liked it here. I’m really thankful to be given the opportunity to work in Truro.”
His parents, who live in Truro now, are supportive of his career choice.
Young said the most difficult part of his work is that people sometimes think he – being only 22 years old – can’t understand what they’re going through.
“I show empathy and try to relate. I want to be able to talk to the community.”
Looking to the future, he said he’d like to work in the drug section.
Young has been a volunteer hockey coach, helped with a learn-to-skate program and at the Colchester Food Bank. He enjoys hockey, fishing and being outdoors.
Const. Jinhoe “JK” Kim
Jinhoe “JK” Kim remembers being pulled over by a police officer when he was just 17. It was an experience that inspired him to become involved in law enforcement himself.
“I was in the wrong but he was so nice I was really impressed,” said Kim. “When I joined the auxiliary police I ended up working with him and now we’re friends.”
Kim was born in South Korea, but his parents, looking for a slower-paced life, moved the family to Canada when he was 13.
He considered police work while growing up, and spent three-and-a-half years with the auxiliary police in Fredericton. He also studied maths and science at UNB for two years.
“My grades were good but I wasn’t motivated to be there every day, so I thought it was time for me to go,” he said. “My grandfather was in the police and my father was in the military for a while. In South Korea, it’s mandatory to spend time in the military once you turn 18. I also have an uncle who is an officer in Korea. It’s in my blood.”
Kim graduated from Atlantic Police Academy in September and took a term position with the Westville Police in November. He enjoyed working in both the city and the small community.
“I’d been doing a lot of research on Truro since I was at the academy, and I felt it was just busy enough to be the perfect balance.”
Kim turns 24 today and will work his first shift with the Truro Police Service.
Kim played football and basketball and has helped out as a volunteer coach and maths and science tutor.
He hopes to meet a lot of people over the next few months.
“Feel free to come up and say hi,” he urges. “I’m here for the community and I’m part of the community. I’d love to talk with people and learn about Truro.”
