New staff-sergeant.
Colin Slight is the new staff-sergeant for the OPP Renfrew detachment. His first official day on the job was Monday, Aug. 9.
Steve Newman
After 26 years as a police officer in Renfrew, Colin
Slight left to become the staff-sergeant with the Killaloe detachment of the
Ontario Provincial Police in July 2008.
But two years later, he has returned to his own backyard
as the newest staff-sergeant of the Renfrew OPP detachment.
“It’s been enjoyable, it’s been a good experience,” says
Slight, 48, of his police career.
“And I look forward to continuing on the path I’m on.”
A resident of nearby Horton Township,
Slight says he’s enjoyed his time in the Killaloe detachment of 32 officers,
but says it’s a bonus now having a five-minute, no longer a 55-minute, commute
to work.
“I enjoy being back here for the sake of seeing familiar
faces, and I still live in Horton
Township,” says Slight,
whose departure leaves Bruce Sawbridge as acting staff-sergeant of the Killaloe
detachment. Sawbridge is also the husband of Janice Sawbridge, community
affairs officer of the Renfrew OPP.
Slight’s hiring as staff-sergeant in Renfrew coincides
with the departure of Staff-Sgt. Dave MacDonald.
MacDonald, who has been promoted to acting
detective-inspector with the OPP’s Criminal Investigation Bureau, will be
working out of eastern Ontario.
Slight becomes the leader of the Renfrew detachment,
which houses more than 40 uniformed officers.
Looking back over his career, Slight says he’s “never
really been one for highlights. Things generally work out.
“My involvement in the community is one of the
highlights,” adds Slight.
“Just being so familiar with the community makes my job
easier. People phone and you know who they are.”
As for what he brings to his new job, Slight takes only
seconds to provide an answer.
“My personality,” he says.
“I’m a strong communicator, but fair and firm, so to
speak. In short, I have high expectations for professionalism and the quality
of policing, and doing what we’re supposed to be doing.”
Having the right processes in place is vital to
accomplishing that, says Slight.
Born in Kemptville, Ont., he and wife Anne Marie are the
parents of children Adam, Jennifer, Kelly and Victoria.
POSITIVE ROLE MODELS
His decision to pursue a career in policing comes
following the positive examples of cousins who served as police officers for
the RCMP and Ottawa and Toronto police forces.
Policing haschanged in some ways, over the years, says
Slight.
He alludes to the need for more documentation, but
predicts the core functions of policing will always remain the same, namely
public safety and good relationships with the community.
Outside of policing, Slight remains active on the school
and drama scene.
He chairs the school council at St.
Joseph’s Catholic
High School, helps out
with the high school drama club’s set construction, and remains active with the
Really Cool Initiatives theatre group.