Heather Latter
A celebration to officially open the southern detachment of the Treaty #3 Police Service was held last Wednesday afternoon at its new location on Agency One lands at 1450 Idylwild Dr.
After spending more than three years sharing space at the OPP detachment in Emo due to health and safety issues in their previous building, Treaty #3 Police staff are thrilled to have moved into their new home.
“Everyone is so happy that we are now back in a place we can finally call our own,” Deputy Chief of Police Larry Indian enthused.
“We were homeless for a little while and Emo opened up their arms to us and were very good to us.”
Deputy Chief Indian said the only downside to moving into their own building was having to leave Emo.
“We felt a part of the community and are going to miss everyone in Emo,” he stressed.
“We’re going to miss your presence,” Emo Mayor Vince Sheppard told Treaty #3 Police staff during his remarks at the grand-opening celebration.
“I believe you being there has made a difference in our community in a positive way.”
Several dignitaries, including Shammi Sandhu, manager of operations for Ontario Public Safety Canada, Graham Gleason, provincial negotiator with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and Fort Frances Deputy Mayor Sharon Tibbs also were on hand last Wednesday to offer their congratulations.
“This new facility is a vast improvement over what they previously occupied,” noted Sandhu, adding they now have the tools to keep their community safe.
“It’s been a long road and quite a few negotiations, and this is a testament to everyone’s contributions,” said Gleason.
Tibbs, meanwhile, indicated the local Treaty #3 Police had been asking for a new building for a long time, and said she was pleased they finally have been rewarded with one.
“Years of hard work has brought this to reality,” agreed Wayne Smith of the Treaty #3 Police Services Board.
“I’m so happy this day has arrived.”
Chief of Police Conrad Delaronde provided the address while Elder Gilbert Smith offered up the opening and closing prayer, as well as participated in a drum circle to both open and close last Wednesday’s ceremony.
“This is a proud occasion,” Delaronde declared as he thanked the OPP for sharing its detachment.
“Now in our own building, we will continue to strengthen our relationship with the OPP,” he stressed.
“It’s good for morale of the staff to have our own place,” added Deputy Chief Indian.
“Everyone is so happy.”
Those on hand for Wednesday’s ceremony also were given tours of the building.
Treaty #3 Police staff actually made the move into the new detachment last week.
They still are getting organized and settling in, but the police service is fully functional and operating as usual.
