The South Simcoe Police Services Board announced this week that Chief Andrew Fletcher has received a contract extension.
Fletcher, who has been chief of police since 2015, began his career with the Halton Regional Police Service in 1984, working his way up to deputy chief in Halton in 2007 before joining the South Simcoe police as chief.
The extension is indefinite with no firm date for the end of the contract, but will carry Fletcher through at least 2022.
“It’s an exciting time for me, and obviously when you take the position of chief you hope to make the changes and advance the organization as much as you can,” said Fletcher. “To have that contract extended now allows me the opportunity to continue with some of the great stuff we’re doing and build the team so that when the time is right, I can pass the torch to the next chief and have them in great shape.”
The South Simcoe Police Services Board emphasized the stability that Fletcher brings to the organization and views him as a key cog as it moves forward with proactive policing in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
“Chief Fletcher is an amazing leader and we’re thrilled we’re working with the chief as a board,” said Chris Gariepy, board chair. “It’s critical to keep the stability in the organization by having leadership that is consistent.”
Fletcher praised the board for the support they’ve shown him and South Simcoe police as the service grows to handle the increasing population.
“As challenging as it is, it’s also pretty exciting because we have an opportunity to grow the service with the community and the board has been very supportive of that with the staff plan we presented last year so we can be proactive,” he said. “I can’t speak enough of the support I’ve had from the board over the last year.”
The board believes in having “good strong” leadership at the top of emergency services and sees that with Fletcher as the South Simcoe police department continues to grow.
“The chief, the senior leadership and the officers have an amazing relationship with the communities we work in,” Gariepy said. “I think that consistency is helpful. There will be a time when we have a new chief in the organization but in the meantime, it’s great to have stability.”
