Smiths Falls Police Service Explained

Agencyname:Smiths Falls Police Service
Nativename:Service Policier de Smiths Falls
Badge:Smiths Falls Police Badge.jpeg
Badgecaption:The badge worn by Smiths Falls Police officers.
Abbreviation:SFPS
Motto:"Community First"
Formed:February 9, 1881 (142 years ago)
Budget:$5,226,780 CAD (2023)
Country:Smiths Falls
Sizearea:9.66km2
Sizepopulation:9,254 (2021 Census)
Legaljuris:Municipal
Governingbody:Smiths Falls Police Board
Police:Yes
Local:Yes
Headquarters:7 Hershey Drive, Smiths Falls, ON.
Sworntype:Sworn Officer
Sworn:25 Police officers1 Special constables
Unsworntype:Civilian Employee
Unsworn:9
Electeetype:Elected officer
Minister1name:Michael Kerzner
Minister1pfo:Minister of the Solicitor General
Chief1name:Mark MacGillivray
Chief1position:Chief of Police (retiring end of 2023)
Stations:1 (Headquarters)
Vehicle1type:Service Vehicles
Vehicles1:8

The Smiths Falls Police is the municipal police service for the city of Smiths Falls, Ontario.[1] It was established by the Smiths Falls Village Council on February 9, 1881. Prior to then, only part time constables were responsible for the safety of the town. Today, the Smiths Falls Police is made up of just under 40 members serving an area of 9.66 square kilometers and 9,254 (2021 Census) people.

History[2]

The history of the Smiths Falls Police Service (SFPS) began over 150 years ago when John B. Drew was appointed as a part time constable in the Smiths Falls Village. On February 9, 1881 Chief Drew was hired as the first chief of police thereby birthing the SFPS. For the next 29 years, the police service was run by one person at the time, the chief of police. It wasn't until 1910 that a second full time officer was on-boarded. This new, 2 man team continued throughout the 1920s. The SFPS growth was very slow due to the Smiths Falls Village Council refusing to increase the manpower. By the late 1940s, the force was still under 10 officers.

In 1981 a civilian dispatcher team was introduced into the service. With a growing team, and aging infrastructure, a new police station was built in 1984. By 1990 the service had reached 17 officers and 6 civilian employees. Which quickly grew to 25 officers and 10 civilian employees by the mid 2010s.

As of the end of 2022, the Smiths Falls Police Service is still constituted of 25 officers and 10 civilian employees.[3]

Fleet

The Smiths Falls Police Service fleet consists of eight vehicles. It includes four Ford Interceptor Utility, a police ready variant of the Ford Explorer, two Ford Taurus, a Dodge Charger, and a Dodge Durango. Of the eight vehicles currently in service, 3 are unmarked cruisers. The SFPS uses one of the Ford Taurus, and the Dodge Durango for their Criminal Investigations Bureau branch. One vehicle is used for community services, and the other 5 vehicles are used for general patrol.

Former chiefs[4]

Ranks and insignia

The rank insignia worn by the Smiths Falls Police is similar to the one used in other police services throughout Canada.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-11-24 . Ontario Police Organizations . 2023-10-31 . www.oacp.ca . en.
  2. Web site: 2023-10-18 . About Smith Falls Police . 2023-10-31 . www.smithsfalls.ca . en.
  3. Smiths Falls Police Service . Smiths Falls Police Service 2022 Annual Reporrt . SFPS 2022 Report . 6.
  4. Web site: 2023-10-18 . About Smith Falls Police . 2023-10-31 . www.smithsfalls.ca . en.
  5. Web site: Sali . David . 2023-08-17 . Sweet victory: Smiths Falls leaders savour Hershey’s return to Eastern Ontario town – Ottawa Business Journal . 2023-10-31 . en-US.
  6. Web site: News . Evelyn Harford Smiths Falls Record . 2023-07-29 . 'Very proud': Smiths Falls Police Chief Mark MacGillivray announces retirement . 2023-10-31 . InsideOttawaValley.com . en.
  7. Web site: Toronto Police Services Board - Rank Structure . 2023-10-27 . www.tpsb.ca.