Belleville’s Police Services Board recognized two officers, its K9 Unit, and the service’s Padre for outstanding work at its meeting Thursday.
Recognition was given to the following:
Padre Brad Beale
Well known local clergyman Brad Beale has been serving as Padre with the Belleville Police Service.
Padre Brad Beale (centre) is congratulated by Chief Mike Callaghan (left) and Chair of the Police Services Board Jack Miller. (Photo: Quinte News)
In remarks to the Police Services Board Chief Mike Callaghan said the Padre had been instrumental in many different ways with the service.
He is known to go out for day and night shifts with frontline officers.
The Chief said “there are many times when Padre Beale has reached out to members who have experienced traumatic calls for service or may be experiencing some personal challenges. Padre Beale does this confidentially and on his own, without prompting from our service.”
Sergeant Brad Stitt
Sergeant Brad Stitt was the subject of a letter of commendation from local Paramedic Bill Hughes.
Sergeant Brad Stitt (center). (Photo: Quinte News)
Hughes was referring to Sergeant Stitt’s actions in a call involving a raging teenager armed with a knife on Butternut Drive last July.
In the letter, Hughes, who had also responded to the situation, says the incident could have been one of the unfortunate ones where someone is shot, stabbed, or fatally injured.
While commending the other officers involved, Hughes gave special acknowledgement to Sgt. Stitt for his “patience, empathy, compassion, and skill set”.
Hughes writes that law enforcement officers “don’t get enough credit for the amazing and important job they do”.
Constable Chad Stein
Police Constable Chad Stein received citizen Travis Shawcross’s commendation for the way he responded to a situation at Belleville General Hospital.
Constable Chad Stein (center). (Photo: Quinte News)
A woman well known to Belleville police was acting violently due to mental wellness issues at the hospital and Constable Stein responded.
Shawcross says Stein was instrumental in calming the distraught female down in a situation that had a lot of potential for serious violence leading to injury.
The incident was resolved without anyone being harmed and Shawcross said he was impressed by how calm and professional the Constable was.
Chief Mike Callaghan added that Stein had demonstrated his impressive communication and compassion skills on numerous occasions.
Constable Jesse McInroy and Bax (K-9 Unit)
Although unable to be at the Police Board meeting Thursday because they were working, the police service’s K-9 Unit consisting of Constable Jesse McInroy and German Shepherd Bax, earned praise from Chief Callaghan.
Belleville Police Constable Jesse McInroy stands with his K-9 partner Bax, on September 8, 2020. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
The Chief said McInroy and Bax have been assisting in large scale drug investigations and tracking of wanted persons. The K-9 Unit has been assisting law enforcement partners in Kingston, the Quinte West OPP and the Canadian Border Service Agency.
“Constable McInroy and Bax are to be commended for their excellent work and for embracing our interoperability vision with our policing partners in the Quinte region.”
Chief Callaghan reminded the board that the K-9 program wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of the community.
“Ninety-five per cent of the K-9 funding has come from our community partners.”
Following the presentations, Police Services Board Chair Jack Miller stressed that many officers with the service do “good work” in volatile situations every day but people involved in them don’t always write letters of commendation to or speak with the police service so not all officers receive formal recognition from the board.
