A Constable’s Calling: How Family, Community, and Compassion Shaped Shanda Weir’s Path to Policing

Constable Shanda Weir’s story is not just about policing; it’s about resilience, family, and the deep desire to help people feel safe.

Born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick, Weir watched her father navigate life as a newcomer. He arrived in Canada from Portugal in the 1970s, part of a wave of skilled tradesmen recruited to work at the Saint John Shipyard. He didn’t speak English when he arrived and struggled at first, but he worked hard and built a life that shaped how his daughter sees the world.

“I guess for me, because some people look at me and don’t know my background, I hope that with my father’s experience and my own, people from different places might feel comfortable coming to me,” Weir said. “My goal is for them to feel safe, to know they’re here in Canada and can come to us for small or big problems.”

Weir's sense of responsibility to protect, guide, and serve led her into policing. 

A Career Rooted in Giving Back

Weir had tried different jobs after high school. She spent time in university, but something wasn’t clicking.

“I thought about policing, and I knew it was going to be a struggle, a difficult job,” she said. “But the idea that I could make a positive impact and help others through things I may have struggled with growing up was the reason I decided to become a police officer.”

She trained at the Atlantic Police Academy, but opportunities in New Brunswick were scarce then. Determined, she took a job in Ontario, working in Cornwall for over four years, then Fredericton, before finally making it back home to Saint John.

“I always wanted to come back,” she says.

Now, as a constable in the Major Crime Unit, Weir handles complex investigations. But what matters most to her is connecting with people beyond the job. That’s why she dedicates time to community projects like Christmas with the Cops, an initiative she co-founded that blended music and charity to raise over $120,000 for local organizations.

“The community sees officers and doesn’t always know much about us,” she says. “But they were surprised at the talent and heart that officers have beyond the uniform.”

A Personal Understanding of Newcomer Challenges

Weir’s experience growing up with an immigrant father gives her insight into the fears and uncertainties many newcomers face—especially when it comes to interacting with police.

She knows that in some countries, calling the police is the last thing people want to do. Fear of corruption, language barriers, and past trauma create hesitation. But in Canada, she wants people to understand that officers are here to help.

“If you need us, call us,” she said. “If it’s an emergency, call 911. If it’s not urgent, you can still call, and we will come. And you never have to pay the police. We are here to serve you, at no cost.”

A Simple Message: We Are Here for You

One of Weir’s biggest hopes is that newcomers see police officers as approachable.

“If you see a police officer on the street, you can say hi,” she said. “We want to hear about your day, your new job, and what’s going on in your life. We don’t just deal with the hard things; we are here to connect.”

Growing up in a hardworking immigrant family reminded her why that connection is important. She remembers what it was like when her family needed a little extra help and how community services supported them when things got tough. Now, she’s in a position to give that help back.

“I know what it’s like to come from humble beginnings,” she said. “So I want to be the kind of officer that helps people, whether that’s by solving a crime, making a community feel safer, or just buying someone a coffee because they need it.”

For Constable Weir, policing isn’t just about enforcing the law. It’s about building trust. It’s about making sure every person in Saint John—no matter where they come from—knows they have someone they can turn to.

“You are safe here,” she says. “And we are here for you.”