Freeman Retiring

Wednesday, 16 April 2014 04:58

The Woodstock Police Service Board announce that Police Chief Freeman is set to retire at the end of 2014.

WOODSTOCK -- The Woodstock Police Services will be looking for a new Chief.

In a media release sent out Monday evening, Police Chief Rod Freeman has announced that he will be retiring from his role at the end of December 2014.

In the release, WPS Board Chair Sandra Talbot says "Chief Freeman played a critical role through the restructuring of the Woodstock Police Service beginning in 2009 and through subsequent years of growth and progress. Under his leadership, several high profile investigations have been brought to successful conclusions". Talbot went on to say that Chief Freeman "has served our community with skill, talent and integrity." She thanked him for his years of "exemplary leadership" and wished him well in his retirement on behalf of the Woodstock Police Services Board.

On his retirement, Freeman will have completed 37 years of police services in the communities of Timmins and St Thomas as well as Fergus and Orangeville where he served as the Chief of Police.

Chief Freeman says "It has truly been an honour serving alongside the talented and dedicated members of the Woodstock Police Service over the last 7 years - first as Deputy Chief, then as the Chief of Police beginning in 2009. It has been both a very challenging time and a very rewarding experience as we worked through some extremely serious and important investigations, as well as navigating through the transition back to a City of Woodstock Police Service. I am truly grateful to the Woodstock Police Services Board, all members of this police service and this community for those exciting opportunities and all the support that has been extended to me during my tenure as Chief."

During his time in Woodstock, Chief Freeman has been actively involved with a wide variety of community groups and community Boards including the United Way Fundraising Campaign, Children's Aid Society Board of Directors, YMCA Revitalization Project and Woodstock Safe Communities Project.

The Board says they will take steps to identify a replacement for Chief Freeman in the coming weeks.