Case Study
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association (RNCA) took the initiative to challenge public perceptions and shed light on the realities facing the Newfoundland and Labrador public safety system. To do this, they chose to launch “Behind the Badge: 10 Stories of Service from the RNC.”
“We deal with things we can never speak about… [we carry] the invisible weight.” — Sergeant Michael Hollis
At A Glance
When faced with rising societal challenges, the heavy emotional toll of the job, and a public that often only sees the uniform, how do you tell the authentic, human stories of the officers who protect and serve the community?
Benefits
- RNCA showcased the profound human element and empathy required in modern policing.
- RNCA celebrated the quiet victories, deep respect, and sacrifices of its members.
- RNCA bridged the gap between the community and the officers by highlighting their shared humanity.
- RNCA empowered those serving to share the invisible 95% of the work the public never sees.
Objectives
Gale Force Wins was tasked to capture these 10 distinct stories of service across various units and regions—from the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault unit in St. John’s to the remote patrols of Labrador West—highlighting the empathy, respect, and sacrifices required behind the badge.
Solution
Record conversations in the Gale Force Wins unique authentic manner showcasing the officers as the community people they are.
Planning
Gale Force Wins met with the RNCA to deeply understand the themes they hoped to convey: humanity, sacrifice, and community connection. The team quickly grasped the emotional weight of the project and sorted out the logistics required to interview officers across different units, shifts, and geographic locations, ensuring each officer’s unique perspective—whether an experienced 38-year veteran or a Collision Reconstructionist—was carefully mapped out for capture.
Process
Gale Force Wins conducted intimate, empathetic interviews with the 10 featured officers to document the realities of their service. The team captured the profound philosophies of officers like Constable Jason Walsh and Constable Kellyanne Parsons, who use compassion and their voices as their primary tools. They recorded the technical and emotional gravity of Constable Jenna Curry’s forensic work and the lifetime dedication of Staff Sergeant Mike Summers and Constable Paul Grounds.
By coordinating with officers stationed in Labrador West, like Sergeant Ryan Slaney and Sergeant Amanda Hearnham, Gale Force Wins also highlighted the unique, multi-hat challenges of rural policing where backup is far away. Ultimately, the production wove together the “little moments” described by Constable Nadia Churchill and Constable Renee McDonald, delivering a powerful 360-degree narrative that looks past the uniform to reveal the human beings standing in the gap for their communities.