Community spotlight: Outgoing St. Thomas Police Chief embarks ‘on a new journey’

Calling it an honour to have served as St. Thomas Police Chief, Chris Herridge was piped out of headquarters Friday, 34 years after joining the service.

Herridge started his career as a cadet with St. Thomas Police on February 26th, 1989.

In 2017, he was appointed Acting Chief of Police and officially took over as Chief of the St. Thomas Police Service on January 1st, 2018.

Herridge said there are many factors that contributed to his decision to retire, but overall the time had come.

Herridge stressed the past 34 years brought many challenges, but also many successes.

He strongly believed all people are equal, with no assumptions simply because of race, gender, orientation, or religion.

In speaking with myFM, Herridge said he was proud of the Community Inclusion Council established last year to help better represent the diverse community served by city police.

He believed the wellbeing of all members of the police service was of utmost importance.

He told myFM the service has done “a tremendous job ensuring that the well-being and safety of our members have been looked after as well so they can deliver and meet the demands of the community.”

In a farewell message to members of the service, Herridge stressed, “Each day we have an opportunity to help somebody. Hold your head high and be proud of our profession.”

Here is his full message to residents and members of the St. Thomas Police Service.

It has been a privilege to serve all of you and the community of St. Thomas as a police officer since February 26, 1989 and as your Chief of Police since June 1, 2017.

Since that time, it was our goal to build on past successes to improve the quality of life for all residents as well as foster excellent relationships with everyone living, working in or visiting our diversifying community.

I have resided in St. Thomas since 1989 and this community became a new home and future for our family. Home is the base where everything begins and St. Thomas provided us with a place to build many memories and make new friends.

The St. Thomas Police Service has always been dedicated to serving this city. We work with all city departments and community partners to provide the best possible service to residents and visitors. We are in the community proactively policing 24/7/365. You may not always see our committed members, but they are always patrolling and always available both internally and externally.

I believe that as a society, we must work on equality issues and basic human decency. We must ensure that all people are equal, with no assumptions simply because of race, gender, orientation, religion, etc. Our responsibility as humans is to abolish those biases and continue to break down the barriers between the public and the officials who serve. We cannot do it alone, as it requires police working together with our community and partners to understand and address the root causes of societal issues.

I can assure you STPS members are eager to be part of resolving problems and addressing concerns within the city, as well as stopping by special events to support community members and organizations. We truly are an engaged community focused police service, in this together with all of you to make St. Thomas a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

I have always felt extremely proud to wear the STPS police uniform. At the end of the day, the end of my policing career, when all is said and done, the most rewarding work has been the honour to serve the public as the leader of an amazing group of women and men, both sworn and non-sworn. They demonstrate unwavering professionalism in a job that has changed considerably and a work environment filled with challenging personal and political dynamics. So many of these folks, these officers and civilian members, still find a way to remain optimistic, engaged, transparent, and accountable to each other and the community.

A personal note of gratitude for my family:

Kim, Courtney and Kailee. I am eternally grateful to have your support. I would also like to thank the members of the St. Thomas Police Services Board and City Council – present and past; our Police Association; current and retired members; and our community for your confidence and support during my tenure as Chief of Police. The past 34 years brought many challenges, but also many successes as I have had the pleasure to engage with many extraordinary in policing and St. Thomas.

One of those extraordinary people is my successor and I am confident the police service will be in excellent hands under the professional leadership of Acting Chief Marc Roskamp, a 25-year STPS veteran and long-time resident of St. Thomas. Marc performs at a high level and is the respected and supportive leader required to enhance member and community well-being. There is no doubt Marc and those around him will take STPS to the next level.

STPS Members:

“The daily work that you perform behind the scenes may not always be understood or appreciated by those who do not walk in your shoes, but you can take great pride in knowing that you have the support of our community. You provide the steady helm by which we navigate the social and policing challenges you now confront. Take a minute and remind yourselves that the reason we put the uniform on every day, the reason that we got into this profession to begin with, is to serve that noble cause, to be something greater then ourselves, to be a part of something more significant. Each day we have an opportunity to help somebody. Hold your head high and be proud of our profession.”

Today, my policing journey of noble public service dedicated entirely to the citizens of St. Thomas ends. However, I will still be your neighbour and remain a part of this fantastic city. My heart and soul will always be with STPS and this community. Thank you St. Thomas and thank you STPS.