MNO citizen and veteran Ron Gignac (right) being
Sworn in by Justice Stephen Hunter (left) as the
Chief of Police for Belleville. Click here for larger
picture.
Submitted by Joseph Paquette, President of the MNO Veterans’ Council and based on an article by Emily Mountney-Lessard of the Belleville Intelligencer. Original article can be viewed at: http://www.intelligencer.ca/2017/01/12/chief-deputy-chief-officially-sworn-in
Ron Gignac, a Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizen and veteran, was sworn in as Chief of Police during a news conference at Belleville’s City Hall on January 12.
In a packed courtroom, Justice Stephen Hunter administered the oath of office and oath of secrecy before Mayor Taso Christopher who is also chairman of the Belleville Police Services Board and who presented Chief Gignac with his badge.
“To my fellow citizens of Belleville, we stand on guard for you,” said Gignac, “I am a servant leader but I am not perfect … But I tell you this, I believe in you, I believe in the abilities you have, your ingenuity, your courage and the goodwill I have witnessed here in Belleville in the last year and a half.”
Gignac has been with the Belleville Police Service since July, 2015. He was initially hired to fill the then-vacant role of Deputy Chief.
In November 2015, it was announced that former police chief Cory MacKay would retire and that Gignac was set to take on the chief position. In his address to fellow members of the service, Chief Gignac said “you are the finest team in the province, bar none.
“Policing and keeping our community safe is a 365-day a year effort. Thank-you for standing on the blue line and for standing on the wall here for Belleville, and for your willingness to lay down your life, if need be, for a stranger,” Chief Gignac said.
He recognized the presence of members of the Canadian Forces in the room, including 8 Wing/CFB Trenton base Commander Col. Colin Keiver and Chief Warrant Officer Darcy Elder. Chief Gignac also noted the Belleville police would recognize the work and sacrifices of military members by adding a yellow ribbon to police vehicles during the upcoming rebranding process.
“I want to tell you all that I’m all in,” Chief Gignac said. “I’m either all in or not in at all… the day that I’m not all in, I will cease to be your Chief of Police.”
Posted: June 9, 2017