Staff
Fort Frances will host the regional OPP awards ceremony May 3.
Three local officers will be receiving the Police Exemplary Service Award for full-time service with a Canadian police service, A/Insp. Steve Shouldice reported at Friday morning’s Police Services Board meeting here.
Sgt. Phil Donald and Sgt. Darryl Wright will receive 30-year bars while Cst. Elaine Barr will get her 20-year medal.
About 30-40 recipients from the western half of the OPP’s Northwest Region will be honoured at the ceremony, including some civilians.
The awards have been handed out in Kenora several times over the years, but this is first time in recent memory that Fort Frances is the host community.
“Glad to have it in Fort Frances,” said Police Services Board chair John McTaggart.
In related news, OPP officer Dereck McLean officially will be promoted from constable to sergeant July 2.
He has been in a temporary assignment as acting sergeant since the end of October.
McLean is replacing Sgt. Donald, who will retire June 30.
As a point of interest, Sgt. Donald’s retirement leaves just four employees remaining from the original Town of Fort Frances Police Service—A/Staff Sgt. Scott Gobeil, Cst. Caroline Spencer, and administrative assistants Barb Harris and Tracey Coran.
As well, administrative clerk Bonnie Hoskins will retire April 30.
The detachment has been given approval to initiate the hiring process and find her replacement.
