Provincial ICE Coordinator Sharon Hanlon speaks at a meeting of the Belleville Police Services Board at City Hall, on September 20, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Belleville’s Police Services Board has wholeheartedly approved a request from the chief to hire two full time officers in the Internet Child Exploitation Unit.
Following a sometimes graphic presentation from Provincial ICE coordinator Sharon Hanlon, the board agreed the positions should be created for an ICE investigator and a technologist, to analyze technological devices for evidence of child porn, exploitation, criminal enterprise and more.
Chief Ron Gignac says it’s crucial for Belleville to get ahead of the modern curve.
Gignac says two veteran officers will be transitioned into the new roles and two new officers will be hired to take their places on the police force’s front line.
The chief says the part-time staff will stay on as well and that it will take a few months for the new ICE officers to be fully trained and ready.
He is also hoping that the provincial government will be able to chip in with the cost of adding new officers and positions to the force and will be addressing that issue next week.
Belleville Police Chief Ron Gignac, at a meeting of the Belleville Police Services Board at City Hall, on September 20, 2018. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
