Jeff Cove - new 'The Watch' manager -- photo credit to LNN

By Dori Modney

‘The Watch’ now under the watchful eye of retired LPS Inspector

Feb 13, 2020 | 10:43 AM

LETHBRIDGE — Retired, but well-known, Lethbridge Police Insp. Jeff Cove is the new Manager of The Watch.

Although he retired in 2014, Cove has volunteered with The Watch program since its inception in May of 2019. He has previously admitted to “enjoying the return to his roots, walking the beat – this time as an ambassador.

Cove is enthusiastic about his position and hopes it will continue past the current one year term.

“I’m going to do my best to ensure that the measuring sticks by which the program is measured are out there and that we hit those bars and that we’re able to show that our service is certainly something that’s beneficial to the city, it’s beneficial to the people, that way, getting the funding to carry on and go forward.”

“Hopefully, that will be me when the one year term is up,” chuckled Cove, “But, it’s an opportunity for me to be able to give something back to a city that gave me lots.”

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“ I have truly enjoyed being a part of this initiative from Day 1 as a volunteer and now I’m looking forward to working with this committed group of people in a different way.”

Jeff Cove and The Watch recruit — photo credit to LNN

Cove’s experience as a trained police officer, has enabled him to offer mentoring for many of the younger volunteers and he has no plans to put aside his walking shoes. As manager, Cove will continue to be out on the street with his team from time to time.

The Watch is comprised mostly of volunteers who walk throughout the downtown core seven days a week ,all year long, providing an added safety to citizens, by serving as a visible presence and helping connect people with appropriate response. That response could be police, EMS or social and community services.

The Watch also provides Safe Walks and a variety of other public engagement activities from helping people with parking meters, providing directions, liaising with downtown business owners and patrons and serving as positive community ambassadors.