It was a very special day for the Belleville Police Service as they celebrated their 190th anniversary Thursday morning
A flag raising was held outside the police station to commemorate 190 years of service followed by a tour of the headquarters.
It was a memorable day for past and present police chiefs and members of the OPP to recognize the growth of the police service, as well as members of the community to witness the immense work and dedication of their local officers.
The formal ceremony ran from 10:00am-11:00am with a flag raising by Inspector Rene Aubertin, followed by remarks from MPP Tyler Allsopp, Mayor Neil Ellis, and representatives and members of the Belleville Police Service.
The flag was raised to half-mast to honour OPP members during the In Memoriam who dedicated their lives to policing, including two OPP officers and a Toronto constable who recently lost their lives in the line of duty.
A presentation and recognition of the historical book, written by Gary Nicoll, Richard Hughes, and John Lowry, was held before the ceremony’s conclusion as well.
Among the police chiefs celebrating this incredible milestone was Chief Murray Rodd who acknowledged the dedication it took for the Belleville Police Service to be what it is today.
“As the city was growing, we grew alongside the community,” he explains.
When asked what it means to experience the development and progression of the Belleville Police Service, Chief Rodd states, “We’re in a phase right now of growth.”
“We have to recruit, retain, and support a whole growing generation of new people. Every decade, or every 20 years, over the 190 years, we’ve been faced with these issues, these challenges, or these opportunities, and that’s what it means to me. We’re ever evolving.”
Following the ceremony, a tour of the police service headquarters took place for attendees, including a tour of cells, training rooms with officer equipment, and spaces for conducting forensic investigations.
The tour featured the Belleville Police Service’s past and present achievements with historical artifacts, and showcased what it truly means to be an integral aspect of the community.
