The Stratford Police Service is in the market for a new deputy chief.
After 30 years with the service, Deputy Chief Gerry Foster has announced his retirement. Foster launched his policing career in 1990 as a military police officer with the Canadian military. In April 1995 he joined the Stratford Police Service where he rose through the ranks going from uniform patrol to the criminal investigations division to the emergency response unit, and training unit.
He was named deputy chief in 2018. Since then Foster was a key figure in negotiating and implementing the expansion of the service into St. Marys and Perth South. He also has worked to modernize the service, increasing the use of technology to support police investigations and overseeing the implementation of the Next Generation 911 dispatch system, which is schedule to go live in October.
“Gerry is a respected member of the Ontario policing profession and has demonstrated exemplary leadership for the members of the Stratford Police Service," said Police Chief Greg Skinner. "After 35 years in the law enforcement profession, Gerry takes a great deal of expertise and corporate memory with him making his shoes difficult to fill. On behalf of the service and the community, I wish Gerry a long, happy, healthy retirement with his family and friends and thank him for his service."
The national search for Foster's replacement will begin as soon as the Stratford Police Service Board is able to form a selection committee.