Brockville Police Service
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The Brockville Police serve Brockville, the community of the Thousand Islands region on the St. Lawrence River in Eastern Ontario, Canada. Known as the "City of the 1000 Islands", Brockville (population 22,233) is located directly opposite Morristown, New York on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, about half-way between Cornwall in the east and Kingston in the west and a little over an hour from the nation's capital, Ottawa.
Additionally, Brockville is located on Highway 401 in Eastern Ontario, Canada; 340 km east of Toronto, 210 km west of Montreal, and 110 km south of Ottawa (via Hwy 416). Thirty-five (35) km west of the city limits, Highway 401 connects with the Thousand Islands Bridge to Interstate 81 in New York State. Brockville is on the main VIA rail line between Toronto – Montreal and Toronto – Ottawa.
Currently, the Brockville Police Service consists of 63 members, including 5 female officers and 22 civilian support members providing 24 / 7 Emergency Response, Community Patrols, Criminal Investigation, 911 Dispatch, Community Safety Programming, Marine, Bike, Beat, K-9, Intelligence and Drug Investigation Services as well as Community Leadership with the Safe Communities of Brockville, Leeds & Grenville, RiskWatch, Racing Against Drugs, Every Kid In Our Communities of Leeds & Grenville, VCARS, Community Policing, VEP, VIPP, Safe Schools and Victims Services Committees.
[edit] History
This Police Service was formed in 1832, when the hamlet was created as a Police Village under a Board of Police. In that year, James Kennedy was appointed High Bailiff, and William Smith was the first Constable to be hired.
It is said that one of Smith's first court cases involved several young gentlemen who were accused of driving their horses at a fast pace along the main street. The case was dismissed, and so was Smith. In the next forty years, there were few changes in the composition of the Police Service except those caused by death. The position of High Constable or Bailiff was held by several men, among who were John McKenna, Michael Hunter and Thomas Mowat. In 1876, town Council secured the services of Henry Mitchell of St. Catharines as the first Chief of Police. He directed the organization of the Force, which consisted of a Sergeant and five Constables.
Chief Mitchell resigned in 1890 and was followed by Charles Rose, a native of Dundas, Ontario, who was succeeded in 1899 by Chief Samuel Adams. In 1905, William Burke was appointed Chief of Police and held this post until 1926. Records show that during this period the names of some of the police officers were Botham, Burns, Davison, Glazier, Simpson, Storey, Thompson and Foster.
In 1927, John Brown was appointed Chief, and remained in that position until 1938 when he resigned and was replaced by Wilmot F. Young, who held the post until his retirement in 1968. He was succeeded by N.L. Sterritt, who retired in June, 1984. On his retirement, the Police Commission appointed W.M.G. Curtis as Chief of Police. Upon the retirement of Chief Curtis in 1990, R.J. McFadden became the next Chief of Police until his retirement in 1995. Chief Barry V King was appointed Chief of Police October 10, 1995, returning to Brockville where he had previously served as a young OPP officer from 1964 - 1969.
The Police Service has expanded steadily with the growth of Brockville, which obtained City status in 1962, and to meet increased demands for service. In 1929, there was a Chief, a Sergeant and three Constables. In 1938, there was a Chief, a Sergeant and five Constables. During this era, familiar names on the force were Young, Forsyth, Hare, Kirby, Grant and Runciman.
In 1945, there was a Chief, three Sergeants, six Constables and a Clerk. In 1947, with an 8-hour day, 48-hour work week, the Brockville Police, swelled to fifteen. Now, fifty-five years later, the work week is 40 hours with 12 hour shifts.
The city now has a population exceeding 22,000, and increased vehicular traffic. The Brockville Police Service now consists of 63 members, including 5 female officers and 22 civilian support members.
The Brockville Police Service is a progressive, community oriented Police Service, which owes a great deal of its success to the guidance of our Police Services Board, the cooperation of the citizens of our City, the support of City Council and staff, as well as the dedication of our officers and civilian employees.
Members of the Brockville Police Service have devoted much of their time to the youth of the community, which reflects favourably in the effective police-public relations and co-operative partnerships we are involved in, focused to enhance public safety and make Brockville the safest and healthiest community in which to live, learn, work and play.
In 2005, the City of Brockville saw exciting development of the new “Power Centre” in the north-east sector at Hwy 401 and Parkedale Avenue. More than 750,000 sq ft of big box, restaurants and other stores and businesses opened and the 1000 Islands Mall and Brockville Shopping Centre underwent changes and upgrades. New home construction is very active in both the north and west end of the City, while numerous special events abound.
