DRYDEN – It has been a month since the Dryden Police Service was disbanded and the Ontario Provincial Police assumed policing duties for the community. However, the transition wasn't fully completed until Tuesday, when several former DPS officers returned home and were honoured with a special welcoming ceremony.
The DPS gave its final call on Feb. 24 at 6 a.m. One month later, after weeks of training at the Ontario Provincial Police headquarters in Orillia, 10 former DPS officers returned to Dryden and were welcomed back in a special ceremony at the centre.
Deputy Commissioner Chris Harkins says having former DPS officers blending with the OPP will benefit both the city and the region.
“I was able to attend the graduation last Friday and see the Dryden members join our organization and the expertise and the experience they bring to our family is incredibly proud,” Harkins said.
Detachment Commander Acting Inspector Ed Chwastyk echoed Harkins calling the large amount of effort made by all parties involved since the switch to OPP was first introduced in 2017.
He expressed his admiration for the dedication the former officers have for the community.
“To have those officers go away to Orillia to the OPP academy to train for four weeks and then to come back here is really a testament to their capabilities,” Chwastyk said.
The graduating class of officers were numbered 497 and the former DPS constable now OPP provincial constable Kimberly Rothlisberger as the valedictorian, who spoke about her and her fellow officers time in training and the bonds all officers have with each other.
“Dryden is fortunate, they had two police services that had mutual respect for one another and understanding that no matter the call that if an officer was in need someone was there to help them it didn’t matter the shoulder flash you wore or the area you policed the policing family ran strong in this community, therefore this transition will be easy in the sense that we already have a strong bond.”
