A former Abbotsford police officer has released a novel that he hopes brings to light some of the hardships that officers face.
Denys A. Scully’s book The Paladin Letters: A Journey of Hardship and Healing in Policing is written as a series of fictional – and not-so-fictional – letters/emails between a young Mountie, “Victor,” and a veteran friend, “Michael.”
“You will be taken from the heady heights of the first days in the red coat, to and through violence, betrayal, grief, moral injury, trauma, corruption, pigs and pigsties, and more,” states a synopsis of the book.
“You will learn how Michael would not let the job destroy him or his loved ones and how he helps Victor do the same. Through the fires of hell and on to redemption, trod ancient paths and find new ones with them in their tenacious fight to overcome the hardships and become the people and servants – the paladins – they know they are meant to be.”
Scully, whose father served 31 years with the RCMP, served eight years as a Mountie and joined the Abbotsford Police Department in 1995, serving two-thirds of his career there before retiring.
He says the discussions and stories in The Paladin Letters come from his growing up in a police home and from his service in both police agencies.
“One of the main goals I had in writing my book was to bring to light some oft-untapped sources and resources that, in my personal, professional and educational experience, are commonly not considered today when it comes to helping police personnel and their families – and others in emergency and military services – navigate and manage their personal and relational health and well-being,” Scully said.
Among those who have endorsed his book is Terry Anderson, professor emeritus of University of the Fraser Valley’s criminology department and current chief leadership officer of the International Academy of Public Safety.
Since retiring, Scully has served as a clergyman, taught criminology, and operates his own consulting and coaching business in which he says he “helps to equip others to live optimally and serve purposefully.”
He said he has a particular affinity for working with police officers and their kin, as well as with those interested in policing, corrections and the law.
The Paladin Letters is available on Amazon.
