The Chatham-Kent Police Service has awarded its first-ever 40 years of service medal.
Staff Sgt. Barry Childs joined the Chatham-Kent Police Service during amalgamation back in 1998. He came to the region from the Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Police as it was undergoing a switch to the OPP.
Chief Dennis Poole says Childs has been a "go to" officer on a number of policing initiatives over the years. "He was the project manager on a lot of our technology projects, including the implementation of our Blackberry program," says Poole. "He's now the project leader in the e-brief program that's being adopted across the province because we started it here in Chatham-Kent. So he has a lot of accomplishments under his belt." Childs has also announced his retirement effective at the end of March.
The Police Exemplary Service Medal recognizes the men and women dedicated to preserving Canada's public safety through long and outstanding service and is issued on behalf of the Governor General of Canada.