Police Chief Paul Cook pays the piper during the North Bay Police Service 125th Gala Dinner. It was pomp and circumstance at its best Saturday night as the North Bay Police Service (NBPS) kicked off their celebrations of 125 years of excellence.
Police Chief Paul Cook pays the piper during the North Bay Police Service 125th Gala Dinner.
It was pomp and circumstance at its best Saturday night as the North Bay Police Service (NBPS) kicked off their celebrations of 125 years of excellence.
The 125th Gala dinner guest list read like a who’s who of Canadian crime fighters that included officers, lawyers, and ministers.
Police Chief Paul Cook said he was very pleased with how the event turned out and was quick to acknowledged that it was the hard work of the committee, retirees and current serving members sworn and civilian, who had been working hard in order to pull the event together.
“Our 125th is a big deal for us; it’s a big deal number one to showcase our police service with the community, number two to recognise our many community supporters and partners, and number 3 raise some money for Special Olympics,” states Cook.
“So this is a win-win night and we’re absolutely thrilled that people like Minister Kwinter (Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services), Commissioner Fantino (OPP), Assistant Commissioner Seguin (RCMP), Chief Terry McLaren (OACP) could all be here to join in the celebration. Because I know they are all busy in their own little worlds so for them to come up is very special for our community.”
OPP Commissioner Julian said the evening was a perfect opportunity for the service and community to look at the culture, traditions, and history of an organisation that has a special brotherhood that has stood the test of time.
“We do celebrate the past and this is a wonderful way of doing it, in that so many people have gone before the current numbers of officers and civilians who are part of the North Bay police,” he explains.
“It’s a way of paying tribute to them, because the organisation didn’t start today, and it’s important for us to remember the legacy of knowing where we come from … I think it also helps us to define the future.”
Fantino, who has a special relationship to the NBPS through his friendships with Retired Chief George Berrigan and Police Chief Paul Cook, says the community can rest easy and feel safe in the hands of the men and women of the service.
“I think it is probably one of the leading organisations, I mean it’s not a large police force, but they have all of the essential ingredients that I believe provides the best possible service to the public and they do it in a very efficient effective manner,” he states.
“I would like to suggest as well that the tax payers of North Bay are getting their money’s worth from an excellent police organisation.”
Minster Monte Kwinter couldn’t agree more and stated that he was very proud to be able to offer the extension of the Community Policing Program and cover the costs in full for Northern police services into perpetuity.
“It really is a milestone for the city of North Bay and the police as you say they are a special breed, a special brotherhood,” he says.
“And I’m just delighted to be part of it.”
Other events planned for the year include a the release of a history book chronicling the service, a golf tournament, and a joint Military/Police Tattoo.
As well there will be a special non-denominational service Sunday, May 6th at 2 p.m. where the service will pay respects to Constable Fred Lefebrve and Constable Len Slater who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving North Bay when they were murdered in the line of duty.
