BURK’S FALLS – The Almaguin area is new to OPP Staff Sergeant Stacey Whaley, but it is certainly familiar.
“Rural policing, a small, close-knit detachment, my whole career has been like that,” he said.
Whaley started his new job as commander of the Almaguin Highlands detachment on April 21. Getting settled has been relatively easy, as he has found the detachment to be well organized and the staff to be helpful.
“The staff work very hard, both the officers and the civilians,” he said. “And the people of the area are very nice and very supportive.”
Whaley arrives in his 19th year with the OPP, having previously worked in Gogama, Meaford, Ear Falls, Sault Ste. Marie and Blind River. This is his first permanent job as staff sergeant, but he has served as acting commander in two of his past posts.
Police work has interested Whaley since he was a boy in Fonthill.
“It was just a career goal of mine,” he said. “A college placement kickstarted everything.”
Whaley studied law and security administration at Niagara College before joining the OPP, and he loves his work.
“I just enjoy being one of the persons responsible for the safety and security of our society,” he said. “It’s a role I take very seriously and a role I’m proud to have.”
Whaley is quick to point out that this is not just the responsibility of the police, but everyone, particularly the justice system and the community. Everyone needs to work together.
“I think it’s important that the police, the community, the justice system and all the other stakeholders are on the same page,” he said.
As detachment commander, Whaley’s responsibilities include maintaining a relationship with local officials and the public, and it is also a role he takes seriously. Whaley believes in a strong, visible police presence, and that includes himself. His third day on the job included attending a graduation of local students from the DARE program, and he looks forward to many more community events, and meetings with community groups. He also plans to join officers conducting the RIDE program on the Victoria Day weekend.
“I’m not an eight-to-four person,” he said. “I’ll work my schedule around my obligations in the community.”
With a career that has taken Whaley and his family from community to community, he appreciates that it can be difficult to make plans to settle down in one place. However, he admits he could be here for a long time.
“It would be nice to lay some roots down and call a place home,” he said.
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