While many were out celebrating the new year at midnight, police in Amherstburg were having a different type of celebration.
When the clock struck twelve on January 1, officers in Amherstburg officially became part of the Windsor Police Service.
Windsor Chief of Police Al Frederick was there for the transition and to swear in the on-duty officers for their first shift with the WPS-Amherstburg Detachment.
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The City of Windsor and the Town of Amherstburg formally signed a 20-year contract in October 2018 to allow Windsor police to absorb Amherstburg’s police services.
Amherstburg’s 30 sworn officers will wear Windsor police uniforms with a special Amherstburg detachment patch. Amherstburg’s police chief will become a member of the Windsor police administration, and Windsor Police Service Staff Sergeant David DeLuca will become the officer in charge of the Amherstburg detachment.
Amherstburg will also have access to specialized services such as the major crimes branch, a canine unit and tactical emergency response. Their headquarters will remain at their Sandwich Street South location.
The new police plan is expected to save the Town of Amherstburg about $570,000 a year, and the deal is subject to review after five years.