Police leaders from across Ontario gathered in Sudbury June 21 to 24 for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police’s (OACP) 2009 Annual Conference and Global Showcase. Senior police leaders from municipal, regional, provincial, national, and First Nations police services took in a number of educational sessions, keynote speakers, and a Global Showcase featuring exhibitors and the latest in products for the law enforcement community.

“Police leaders were delighted that the City of Sudbury and its police service put together an exceptional program which allowed our members to hear excellent presentations and speakers and enjoy all attractions this great city has to offer.” said OACP President Chief Daniel Parkinson (Cornwall Police Service).

The festivities kicked off with a ‘Family Day’ on Sunday, June 21st from noon to 4:00 p.m. in the Southridge Mall’s Zellers parking lot.  The Greater Sudbury Police Service invited all members of the public to bring their families to the Southridge Mall for a day of fun! 

There were activities and door prizes for the whole family to enjoy. Families enjoyed dance performances, music from Sudbury Youth Rocks, a mini-putt, hole-in-one, food vendors from around the world and much more.  A variety of emergency vehicles were on display, along with Obie, the kid’s train from CN Police which provided rides throughout the day.  Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers manned a booth where Board Members and volunteers were on hand to talk with members of the community to explain how Crime Stoppers works and about our unique relationship with the police.

Family Day wrapped up with representatives from the Ontario Provincial Police Golden Helmets and the Winged Wheels Motorcycle Team from the Toronto Police Service carrying out a precision motorcycle rider demonstration on Long Lake Road just South of Regent Street at The Shop.

Official Opening Ceremonies for the Conference took place Monday morning at the Holiday Inn Hotel on Regent Street and featured Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services the Hon. Rick Bartolucci, Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez, and Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police President Steven Chabot, Deputy Director of the Sureté du Quebec.

Keynote speakers at the conference were Peter Legge, President and CEO of Canada Wide Magazines & Communications Ltd., Leo Gerrard, International President of the United Steelworkers of America, and Sudbury’s own Gerry Lougheed Jr., a well-known inspirational speaker.

Conference sessions included policing and indigenous peoples, emergency preparedness, legal issues update, a show of new, innovative policing tools and a look at a policing mission to Afghanistan featuring Greater Sudbury Police Service.

The conference attracted more than 200 delegates and companions and featured more than 70 exhibitors.

The OACP Annual Conference and Global Showcase were hosted by Chief of Police Frank Elsner and the Greater Sudbury Police Service. “It was an honour and pleasure for us to host this important conference, the first time that it has been in our community since 1991,” said Chief Elsner. “We were determined to put on a great conference. This was an opportunity to showcase our police service and city and welcome delegates from across Ontario with typical Northern hospitality.