Three new auxiliary members join Amherstburg Police Service

Glen Holden, Tom Gagnon and Pat Garrett sworn in as auxiliary police officers

Posted By Ron Giofu/The Amherstburg Echo

Posted 6 months ago

Three new auxiliary police officers joined the ranks of the Amherstburg Police Service last week. Glen Holden, Pat Garrett and Tom Gagnon are the new auxiliary officers, a program overseen by Sgt. Mike Cox (far right).

AMHERSTBURG – The number of auxiliary officers with the Amherstburg Police Service has grown thanks to the addition of three new members.

Glen Holden, Pat Garrett and Tom Gagnon were sworn in last Tuesday as the police department’s three new auxiliary members. That brings the total auxiliary members up to the 12 person limit, which includes Sgt. Mike Cox. Cox said the three new members are now part of a historic tradition with the Amherstburg Police Service.

“The auxiliary has been part of the community since the police department’s inception,” said Cox.

Cox said the auxiliary members will have civilian powers of arrest and have received training which entails everything from use of force to basic law. Training lasts one month. Auxiliary members travel with regular officers.

“They’ll be visible at special functions and community events,” said Cox. “They are a great asset to the community at a minimal cost.”

Cox noted the auxiliary program sees the members volunteer their time. He pointed out that the openings became available and that the “time was right” to add the three new members. Auxiliary police officers have to put in 120 volunteer hours per year, roughly ten hours per month, and there is also one night per month set aside for training. Cox noted that requirements to become an auxiliary police officer include having a clean criminal record, community involvement, physical fitness and good communication skills.

All three new members indicated they wanted to give back to the community. Holden, 36, noted it leaves future employment options open and that he already gives volunteer hours to the community as he does such things as coaching minor sports. Garrett, 40, also gives back through coaching as he is a coach with the SWOSSAA AA champion General Amherst Bulldogs boys hockey team. Garrett is also a teacher at the school. Gagnon, 30, noted that he’s been working at accomplishing this goal for a while and that he is glad to be part of the team.