HAWKESBURY, ON, Dec. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - The Ontario Provincial Police Hawkesbury Detachment is the first detachment in the province to be fully operational in both English and French.
All positions at the Hawkesbury OPP, both uniform and civilian, have been designated bilingual by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, effective December 1, 2012. There are 58 uniform and eight civilian full-time members working at the detachment.
The detachment's bilingualism gives it the ability to serve its local residents and visitors in either language and also ensures all employees of the detachment can communicate fully with each other. Eighty-three per cent of Hawkesbury residents are Francophones.
The OPP is committed to improving access to services in French for Ontario's Francophone community. This is one step in doing so. Although the OPP has numerous bilingually designated positions and offers French language services throughout the province, this new designation of all detachment employees is unique to the communities that the Hawkesbury Detachment serves.
QUOTES
"I'm pleased that the Hawkesbury OPP detachment is committed to bilingualism. It shows how seriously they consider their responsibility to represent their community, and it highlights the OPP's commitment to French-speaking people across the province."
- Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs
"French language services remain a critical operational component to providing exemplary policing services to the citizens and visitors of Hawkesbury and the surrounding area. Ensuring that all members of the Hawkesbury OPP detachment are bilingual addresses the needs of this community. This is a proud moment."
- Chris Lewis, Commissioner, Ontario Provincial Police
SOURCE: Ontario Provincial Police
Inspector Bryan MacKillop
Detachment Commander
Phone: 613-632-2729
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