At a Chatham-Kent Police Services Board meeting, five officers were promoted from Constable to Sergeant.
Here are the biographies of five officers:
Sergeant Kate McArthur
Kate started with the former Chatham Police Service as a cadet in May of 1993.
She graduated from the Ontario Police College and started her career in general patrol with “C” platoon in July of that same year.
Kate worked her first six years in the Community Patrol Branch but in 1999 she was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Branch (Major Crime) where she worked the majority of her career (15 years) investigating some of our most serious offences including murder, attempt murder and sexual assaults.
During her tenure in Major Crime, Kate was the recipient of two Deputy Chief Letters of recognition, five Chief commendations and a Board citation which was in regards to her perseverance and tenacious investigative skills as the lead investigator in the Father Sylvester case, which many of us know was one of the largest serial sexual abuse cases in Canada.
In the last couple of years, Kate has also worked in the Court Services Section – Domestic Violence and as the Acting Sergeant overseeing Court Services.
She is also the recipient of the police exemplary service medal from the Governor General of Canada, for her 20 plus years of loyal and exemplary service to law enforcement in Canada.
Sergeant Mike Hakr
Mike started his policing career with the newly formed Chatham-Kent Police Service in August of 1998.
He started his career in general patrol with D platoon and continued to work in the community patrol branch until 2004, at which time he was transferred into the Traffic Unit.
Mike remained in the Traffic Unit for the next four years until January of 2008, when he was transferred back to general patrol.
Over the last eight years, Mike has worked on three (A, B &D) of our four platoons as both a general patrol officer and as an Acting Sergeant.
During Mike’s career, he has been the recipient of eight public letters of appreciation, nine Deputy Chief Letters of Recognition, two Chief commendations, One Certificate of Appreciation from the Commissioner of the RCMP for his involvement with security operations (Integrated Security Unit) for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic winter games, and finally, one Board Citation for Mikes dedication, teamwork and professionalism in the investigation and successful prosecution of the Bilski Impaired Driving, Causing Death investigation, which tragically resulted in the fatal loss of four ladies within our community.
Sergeant Albert Pilbeam
Albert started his policing career in May of 2000 with the Chatham-Kent Police Service.
Albert has spent his entire career in general patrol having worked on both A & B platoons.
In addition to working as both a general patrol officer and an Acting Sergeant, Albert has been a coach officer for new recruits and a HELP team member.
In October of 2004, Albert also became a member on our Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).
He remained a tactical operator on the team for 11years, having filled speciality positions on the team such as sniper, team training officer and eventually team leader.
Albert is the recipient of twelve public letters of appreciation, five Deputy Chief Letters of recognition, and a Chiefs commendation for his courage, communication skills and tactical intelligence in the successful resolution of an incident involving an armed suicidal male.
In addition to Albert’s professional career his community involvement is quite prominent, having served as a Chatham-Kent volunteer firefighter out of station 11 in Ridgetown for the past 18 years and as an Executive Member of the Blenheim Blades Junior “C” Hockey Club where he volunteers as a trainer.
Sergeant Matt Stezycki
Matt began his policing career with the Peel Regional Police Service in August of 2002.
A little over a year later in October of 2003 Matt joined the Chatham-Kent Police Service.
He has served as a general patrol officer and an Acting Sergeant on both B & D platoons.
On May 1st, 2008 Matt became a member of the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT).
During his time on CIRT he was a tactical operator as well as the Chemical Munitions operator/Instructor and in January of 2015 Matt became the CIRT team supervisor and is currently in the role today.
Matt is the recipient of 19 public letters of appreciation for services rendered including, one letter from the Department of National Defence and Kensington Palace for his involvement in providing protection and escorting his Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent during his visit to the Ansell Armoury in Chatham.
He has also received 4 Deputy Chief Letters of Recognition and a Chief’s Commendation for his excellent team collaboration, judgement and communication skills in the apprehension of a suicidal male, who was in crisis threatening to jump from the Black bridge in Chatham.
Matt is also a Brock University Baseball Hall of Fame inductee where he played 4 years of University Baseball while completing his undergraduate degree.
He also currently teaches part-time at St. Clair College in their Police Foundations program.
Sergeant Michael Pearce
Michael began his policing career with the York Regional Police Service in April of 2003.
Four years later in August of 2007 Mike joined the Chatham-Kent Police Service.
Mike started in general patrol where he has worked on both D and C platoons as a general patrol officer, Intoxilyzer Technician and acting Sergeant.
In September 2009 Mike was transferred into the newly formed Public Information Officer/Media Relations Unit.
While in this position, Mike literally brought our Police Service into the 21st century in respect to media relations.
Mike redesigned our website, created a corporate identity with the development of our mascot Constable Courage for our Community Smarts program, implemented a social media strategy with the launch of Facebook and Twitter and eventually was appointed as the Vice Chair of OMRON (Ontario Media Relations Officers Network) which is supported by the OACP.
Mike has appeared on a national television program: “Redemption Incorporated” with Kevin O’Leary and was a guest speaker at the Social Media, Internet and Law Enforcement (SMILE) conference hosted by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police in Vancouver, British Columbia where he presented on “Small Agency, Big Results” in respect to social media.
In January 2012, Mike was transferred from this Unit into our Traffic Unit where he worked on several high profile motor vehicle collisions and as an Acting Sergeant for this particular Unit.
Mike has recently (three weeks ago, Feb.22) transferred from the Traffic Unit back into the Community Patrol Branch.
Mike is the recipient of 14 public letters of appreciation for services rendered, 6 Deputy Chief Letters of recognition, a Chief’s Commendation for bravery and compassion by entering frigid waters in an attempt to rescue a trapped person involved in a motor vehicle collision.
As well as a Board Citation for his recognition, dedication and professionalism as the Public Information Officer.
Finally, we would be remiss if I did not mention that Mike is also the recipient of the 2011 John Blackwell Award for the most deserving Official (referee). Mike has officiated for 20 years, including 13 in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) including University and Junior B games.
Mike has also travelled to Erzurum, Turkey, where he reffed the 2011 Winter World University Games, officiating the gold medal game between Russia and Belarus.
– CKPS Photo: Diane Daly, Police Service Board chair, Sergeant Mike Hakr, Sergeant Matt Stezycki, Sergeant Michael Pearce, Sergeant Kate McArthur, Sergeant Albert Pilbeam, Police Chief Gary Conn.
