By Cecilia Nasmith
Port Hope Police Service Chief Bryant Wood will be retiring in the first half of 2023.
Notice has been given to the Municipality of Port Hope and the Port Hope Police Services Board, which will begin its formal search for his successor through an external search firm.
In the announcement Wood said that 29 of his 30 years in the province's police service, which began with the OPP in 1993, were in the Municipality of Port Hope.
“For over eight years, I have been very proud to have led the members of the Port Hope Police Service, who are a hard-working and professional group,” he said.
“I look forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing other interests and opportunities in the years to come.”
Wood's service to the community has been recognized with several awards and recognitions, including Ontario's highest decoration for bravery – the Ontario Medal for Police Bravery, awarded by the Lieutenant Governor in 2008. In 2010, the Governor General awarded him the Star of Courage, the nation's second-highest bravery decoration. That same year, the Governor General awarded him the third-highest bravery decoration, the Medal of Bravery. The Governor General recognized him in 2013 with the Police Exemplary Service Medal, and he received a Long Service Medal from the Port Hope Police Services Board in 2017. Most recently, in 2021, the Governor General presented him with Canada's highest policing decoration, the Order of Merit of the Police Forces.
“Chief Wood has provided exemplary service to the urban area of Port Hope, and cultivated strong and lasting partnership within our community,” Mayor Bob Sanderson said.
“He has been devoted both professionally and personally, serving on various boards and committees and volunteering his time for various organizations and activities. We thank the Chief for his long service to our community, and look forward to celebrating his retirement in 2023.”
Police Services Board Chair Jeff Gilmer added their thanks for nearly three decades of dedicated service.
“His commitment to community-based policing and crime reduction has benefited our community greatly. He leaves the Port Hope Police Service in good stead, and I wish him the best in his much-deserved retirement,” Gilmer said.
Details and updates on the search for the next Police Service Chief, when available, will be provided to the community.
