Innisfail RCMP Const. Abdul Sebbi was thrown into the fire on June 7 for a taste of high adrenalin police work.
There was a call to the detachment about a tragic skydiving accident at Innisfail's Big Bend Airport. It was his very first day on the police beat, and the call to the airport was his first assignment as an RCMP police officer.
“My trainer was instructing me on what to do. He was very professional about it as it was my first assignment,” said the smiling and upbeat young rookie police officer. “It all went quite well, although the incident was tragic. I had to carry on with my duty.”
Sebbi is the detachment's newest recruit. Being a police officer is a dream come true for the 23-year-old who has wanted to wear the uniform of an RCMP police officer for as long as he can remember.
He was born in Kenya in 1991. Two years later his family moved to South Africa where he lived until the age of 11. In 2002, his father, an eye surgeon, accepted a job in Gander, N.L. From the tropical heat of Africa, he would experience the chill of the Great White North half a world away.
“We arrived in December and I will never ever forget how cold it was when we stepped off the plane. It was freezing,” said the always-smiling Sebbi with a chuckle.
But the young boy and his family soon experienced the warmth of the people in Newfoundland and Labrador. Members of his family were the only African-Canadian citizens in Gander and everyone in the community opened their arms and hearts to ensure they felt welcomed.
“Everyone was awesome. They were intrigued with our stories. They were amazing in the way they welcomed us, took us in as family,” said Sebbi. “I immediately started playing hockey. They showed me how to tie my skates and how to play the game. They were so helpful.
“I am so glad my parents chose Newfoundland,” he added. “It is one of the best places anywhere to build a foundation as a young man. In Newfoundland everyone is your family. During Christmastime you can go to any house and you're always welcomed.”
Sebbi went on to finish his high school and then it was off to Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's where he studied biology.
However, after two years he realized his calling was in law enforcement and at the age of 22 he applied to the RCMP. Sebbi was accepted and it was off to the training depot for 24 weeks at the RCMP Training Academy in Regina, Sask.
When Sebbi's training produced a passing grade, his first posting came and it was Innisfail.
Last week, following his first assignment at the airport, he took in four shifts with his trainer. Sebbi said the learning experience has been “much more” than he expected, and he is grateful.
“Each shift is unique and different and there is a variety of things that need to be done,” said Sebbi. “My trainer is excellent, and enthusiastic with lots of energy. He is always there to help.”
In the meantime, Sebbi has found time to buy his first house in town. He is also eager to learn more about Alberta and its own unique culture, and was looking forward this month to working at the annual Innisfail Rodeo Parade and the Daines Professional Rodeo.
“I have never seen anything like that,” he said. “They don't have that out east.”
And while the west is new for the rookie he's already noticing that folks in Alberta can rival Newfoundlanders for their warm hospitality.
“So far everyone here has been kind and wonderful,” said Sebbi, with yet another broad smile.
