Calgary police officer to race skeleton for Italy at Olympics

The Calgary Police Service will have to make do without one of its beat officers for a few weeks while Const. Joe Cecchini competes in the 2018 Winter Olympics — for Italy.

The District 1 officer, who has dual Italian-Canadian citizenship, worked his last shift Friday before he heads to Pyeongchang next week as a member of the Italian national skeleton team.​

"We are very proud of Joe. Many of our officers are talented people who bring a vast degree of life experience. They aren't just officers. They are athletes, musicians, professionals and are so much more than the uniform they put on," said District 1 Staff Sgt. Shawn Wallace in a release.

"Joe is a great example of the tenacity and commitment our officers bring to the citizens they serve."

CPS says it's believed to be the first time a serving member of the Calgary force will compete in the Olympics.

Cecchini, who was born in B.C., moved to Calgary in 2007 to start a career with the city's police force and to train in skeleton.

While working full-time as a police officer, he raced internationally with the Canadian team for three seasons.

He joined the Italian squad in 2013, becoming a two-time national champion racing on the World Cup circuit and he competed in three world championships.

"Not only am I blessed to represent Italy, Canada and the Calgary Police Service, but I am in a position that allows me to give back," he said.

"Skeleton and athletics are platforms that have allowed me to coach youth and speak to others about goal setting, motivation and hopefully impact and inspire the lives of others."

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