The contributions of two men to the Belleville Police Service were recognized on Thursday morning during the Belleville Police Services Board meeting.
Both Mark Phillips and Tex Ritter were presented with plaques of appreciation for their contributions to the police service in Belleville council chambers.
Tex Ritter has worked with Belleville Police for a number of years as a member of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) as well as with the Provincial Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).
Deputy Chief Chris Barry said Ritter was always available to their officers 24/7.
“He sees and investigates some of the, quite frankly, some really horrific animal abuse and animal welfare cases. I can tell you they don’t do it for the money or for the notoriety, they do it because they love animals.”
Ritter retired at the beginning of this year and Deputy Barry said he and Chief Mike Callaghan felt it was appropriate to recognize his support and efforts over the past 19 years.
Belleville Deputy Chief Chris Barry (left) and Belleville Police Services Board Chair Jack Miller (right) present Tex Ritter with a plaque of appreciation for his contributions to the Belleville Police Service. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Mark Phillips was also recognized for his contribution of fitness equipment to the Belleville Police Service.
Deputy Chief Barry said Phillips attended the station back in December.
“Took part in a Chief for a Day auction item prize, and came and spent the day with us in December, recognized our gym could use some new equipment, had some that he had purchased for his own employees that really wasn’t being used. And not only did he donate them, he actually had them all delivered to us.”
Deputy Chief Barry said it would have cost $16,000 had the service purchased the equipment on their own.
Deputy Chief Barry says the gym is now open and the equipment donated is used extensively every single day by officers.
“That gym is essential to our officers’ physical and mental well-being,” Deputy Chief Barry stated during the meeting.
Belleville Deputy Chief Chris Barry (left) and Belleville Police Services Board Chair Jack Miller (right) present Mark Phillips with a plaque to recognize his contribution to the Belleville Police Service. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
