(Editor’s analysis: Chief Chris ”Hands up Bear”, Harris Bear “honestly officer, I’m just a Harris Bear, a proxy for a bear donated on your behalf to the Woman’s shelter. Now can I put my hands down?)
Malcolm’s analysis: Club President Barbara Warnock with St. Thomas Police Chief, Chris Herridge. With his police training and years of experience he challenged the club to support himself and other community leaders working towards solutions for current issues. Excellent presentation. Rotary bear to be given to a child at Women's Shelter in appreciation for his talk.
1852 - first 2constables employed in St.thomas (170 yrs “ago”)
1918 - first female member of Police service. Paid $25 a year
1986 - 1st female police officer. Laurie Ewing
Biography of Chief Chris Herridge:
Chief Chris Herridge started his career as a cadet with the St. Thomas Police on February 26th, 1989. After nearly a decade of dedicated service on general patrol, in the traffic unit and in the training branch, Chris began to climb the ranks. Chris was promoted to Sergeant (1998), then Staff Sergeant (1999). During this time, he supervised several departmental units including general patrol, criminal investigations and support services. In June of 2013, his career advanced again taking a turn to the administrative side of policing with a promotion to Inspector followed by Staff Inspector in 2017.Chris Herridge was appointed Acting Chief of Police June 1st, 2017 and officially took over as Chief of the St. Thomas Police Service on January 1st, 2018. Chief Herridge is committed to lifelong learning and over the years has received a Diploma in Police Sciences, Certificate in Human Resources Management and a Degree in Bachelor of Policing. He is also a graduate of the Rotman Police Executive Leadership Program, University of Toronto. Chief Herridge is also a recipient of the Police Exemplary Medal. Volunteering in the community and to the profession of policing has always been a priority for Chief Herridge. He has served on a number of committees including:
- Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police
- Fanshawe College Police Advisory Committee
- OACP Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Committee
- Ontario Police College Promotional Exam Committee
- Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
- Board of Directors for the Central Community Health Centre
- St. Thomas Honour and Awards Committee
- 2018/2019 United Way Campaign Cabinet
Chief Herridge and his wife Kim have lived in St. Thomas since 1989 and are the proud parents of two daughters, Courtney and Kailee. In his spare time, the Chief enjoys spending time with his family, fitness, playing hockey and being outdoors.
Summary Chief Chris’s rousing speech:
Social work/mental health: Police officers are first responders with some but not extensive training on mental health issues that they face daily. They call for a Crisis Intervention Centre in St. Thomas and easier access to mental health support.
Catch and release: Chief Chris recounted 2 representative statistical collections of offenders charged and released many times (42times?). The resolution to this issue is very complex.
Chief Chris told a story about the call he received about an armed conflict in St Thomas. THIS WAS FAKE NEWS! The call came from a visitor from Costa Rica who was in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands and the conflict was there. It took quick analysis to understand the problem was not in St Thomas, ON.
The following is an email from Chief Chris:
Hi Malcom and my new friends at the Rotary Club (you too Trudy – old friend),
Thank you again for inviting me to have lunch and discuss community challenges. We shared an amazing discussion and I look forward to doing it again.
Also, many thanks to all of you for the terrific work you do to make our community and world a better place.
Take care,
Chris
Chris Herridge
Chief of Police
St. Thomas Police Service
“Our best de-escalation tool is COMPASSION”
Announcements:
We had a successful Hybrid Zoom experience! Trudy and Nick checked in us. They were on a road trip between Las Vegas and Sedona, Az; Catharine and Gerry from Florida, Cindy Benning from London ON. Thanks for Chief Chris’s rousing speech.
Fine Master was Barbara:
Where was 1st Rotary Club that was started outside the USA? Canada in Winnipeg
When was the first Rotary Youth Exchange? – 1921
Who was Sylvia Whitlock? – In 1987 she came before the Supreme Court of USA that decided that Rotary International must stop gender discrimination and allow her to become president of Rotary Club of Duarte.
50/50 draw (proceeds pay for speakers’ meals) and was won by Trish; not surprising she is first on the Happy Finns (support for RI World Fund) list:
Trish – Thanks for Chief Chris’s rousing speech
Ron – met with son, Grandson called, Thanks for Chief Chris’s rousing speech
Mark - Thanks for Chief Chris’s rousing speech
Bill - Thanks for Chief Chris’s rousing speech
Mary - Thanks for Chief Chris’s rousing speech, glad to be back in person
Connie - Thanks for Chief Chris’s rousing speech, Chief Chris is a Grandfather
Barbara – visited with daughter, International Woman’s day started in 1975, meeting in person and hybrid
Gerry and Catharine - Thanks for Chief Chris’s rousing speech, Professional Women’s Assoc in Forest, 2nd place in bridge, visited with son in Florida
Pat Martyn – 3 grandchildren, Thanks for Chief Chris’s rousing speech, swans robins and an eagle back for summer, grandson won hockey tournament.
Trudy – Hybrid zoom, Thanks for Chief Chris’s rousing speech, Catharine, going Vegas to Sedona, Nick had a good CT scan ergo they are living it up
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