Postcard Memories is a series of historic views, stories and photos of Bradford West Gwillimbury, a trip down memory lane on a Saturday morning.
It was Jan. 1, 1997 when the Bradford West Gwillimbury Police Service ceased to exist, and amalgamated its force with Innisfil to form the current South Simcoe Police Services.
Swearing in of the officers took place on Jan. 5, 1997 at the Stroud Arena in Innisfil.
Talks of a joint police force began a year prior in Jan. 1996 with both Barrie and Innisfil. But, it was Innisfil Chief of Police Bruce Davis who pointed out that the needs of the two smaller municipalities (Bradford and Innisfil) "would not be met by a tri-service amalgation."
The two municipalities withdrew from talks with Barrie and continued discussions together on creating one shared force. The purpose was to control costs, elominate duplication and meet future provinicial funding cuts.
"Separately we are good. Unified, we feel we would be better," said Daivs.
The policing areas would be divided into a 'North' and 'South' division.
The North Division would have set hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and house criminal investigations, indentification, financial and administative services, the marine/snowmbobile unit, emergency response unit, community policing and patrol duties. The South Division on Holland Street East, would be open 24 hours a day and would house communications and dispatch, records, prisoner lodgings, court operations, community policing and patrol duties.
At the time, there was opposition to the amlagation due to Innisfil's hours of operation and fear over reduced services, as well as the proposed cost savings.
It was a close vote in Aug. 1996, when BWG council voted in favour of the amalgation in a 5-4 vote.
In the vote, Mayor Frank Jonkman and councillors Dennis Roughley, John Gorzo, John Gabriel, Gary Lamb voted in favour of the amalgamation, while Deputy Mayor Bud Brown and councillors Peter Dykie, Ron Simpson, and Betty Lou Vanderpost voted against.
-details from Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library Archives
