The Chatham-Kent Police Services Board is pleased to announce that on September 9, 2014, Chief Dennis Poole will be invested in the ‘Order of Merit of the Police Forces’ by the Governor General of Canada, at a ceremony to be held at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Established in October 2000, the ‘Order of Merit of the Police Forces’ recognizes the leadership and exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the men and women of Canadian Police Services. It is an honour based on the highest qualities of citizenship, service to Canada, to the police community and humanity at large. Those receiving this distinct award have made significant contributions to policing while fostering safer communities across the nation.
Chief Poole started his policing career in 1980 as a constable with the Chatham Police Service. In 1985, he was transferred to Criminal Investigations where he spent most of his career. In 1987 he designed and implemented the Chatham-Kent Crime Stoppers Program and in 1995 he became the officer-in-charge of Criminal Investigations. When the Chatham-Kent Police Service was formed in 1998, he was named the Executive Officer to the Chief of Police, and in 2000 was promoted to the rank of Inspector. In January of 2002 he was appointed Deputy Chief of Police and in January 2009 he was appointed as Chief of Police.
Committed to life-long learning, Chief Poole has attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Windsor and Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Western Ontario. He is also a Certified Municipal Manager Level III, and a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Chief Poole is a member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and has served on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as past positions of Zone 6 Chair and Secretary-Treasurer. He is also a member of the OACP’s Justice Committee and is a past member of the Community Policing Committee. He is a member of the Military Institute of Windsor and “Delta Company” of the Essex & Kent Scottish Regiment, and is a Knight of the Hospitaller Order of St. John. He is a past member and Past President of the Board of Directors of the Chatham-Kent Children’s Safety Village, a former member of the Board of the Chatham-Kent Cultural Coalition, and has volunteered with several community event committees over the years.
“As economic pressures continue and service requests from the public increase, Chief Poole has led the Chatham-Kent Police Service to adapt and evolve to meet these challenges” states Board Chair Pat Belanger. “Through supporting technological innovations to enhance efficiencies and enabling partnerships in community policing, Chief Poole has demonstrated his commitment to the health and wellness of all of our citizens and strongly believes that safe communities are built on the foundation of community engagement and mobilization.”
