On January 8th, 2009 Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian
Fantino was joined by the Honourable Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services to officially launch the OPP 100th Anniversary.
The official kick-off marked the first of a number of events and
celebrations planned across the province in 2009, as a lead-up to
October 13, 2009, the date that officially marks 100 years of service by the OPP to the citizens of Ontario.
A number of Orillia area officials were also present to take part in
the event, where the OPP showcased special edition 100th Anniversary
vehicles, and provided a glimpse of some of the signature events and
initiatives that are in store over the coming year.
The first of these signature events is a Commemorative Patrol of Northern Ontario on February 1, 2009, which serves to pay tribute to OPP officers who, since the early years of the last century and for the past 100 years, have served the communities of Ontario's North.
As part of this rare and unique event, two OPP officers will embark on a three-week expedition by dog sled, snowshoe and rail, wearing reproduction period uniforms, and using traditional equipment and wilderness survival skills while travelling in the bush of northern Ontario. The expedition will reflect some of the many hardships and challenges of early police patrol work during northern Ontario's frigid winter months.
Among other signature events and initiatives will be an OPP Anniversary
"Tattoo" on September 12, 2009. The Tattoo is a spectacular, live pageantry of military/police pipes and drums and brass bands, with other significant performances intended to inspire great pride in members of the policing community, a Black & White Gala Ball on May 9, 2009, and the launch of a special Commemorative Book, to name a few.
The OPP museum will be launching Arresting Images a unique, bilingual travelling exhibition that features 100 mug shots (1886 - 1908) from
the museum's collection. The exhibition will be hosted by museums and
galleries throughout Ontario and across Canada in 2009, and beyond.
The OPP Museum will also unveil a new exhibit this spring entitled
"Frontiers: a century of policing", which will feature a special selection of significant artifacts, compelling images, reminiscences of earlier times and thoughts about the future. The OPP Museum is located at OPP General Headquarters, 777 Memorial Avenue, Orillia, Ontario. Admission is free and the museum is open year-round from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
For more information about planned events during the anniversary year, the public and media are encouraged to visit the special OPP 100th Anniversary website. This website will be updated regularly throughout the year.
As well a special anniversary video can be downloaded through this link.
If you have any information about any serious crime, please call Crime Stoppers.
If your tip leads to an arrest or recovery of property or narcotics
you may be eligible for a cash reward.
You will never have to give your name or testify in court and Crime Stoppers doesn’t have call display or call trace.
Call Crime Stoppers locally at
675-8477 (TIPS) or toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS
or