A Brief History of the Barrie Police Service

The Barrie Police Service has been in existence since 1853 and enjoys the distinction of being the second oldest active police service in the Province of Ontario.

We have seen many changes in leadership style, philosophy and methodology in the last century and a half. In the early days of our Service (and virtually every police service in Ontario), new officers began their career walking foot patrol. Barrie was no exception. There was only one patrol car and no radio system. Officers had to rely on red lights strategically located on top of hydro poles in the downtown core to notify them that their services were required.

With the arrival of the patrol car and the two-way radio, a new style of policing came into our community. This model of policing was known as the “Traditional or Professional” policing model. The telephone would ring and the police would respond. There were no proactive aspects.

The patrol cars, two-way radios and road supervisors permitted tighter control over individual police officers. Response times decreased and efficiency increased. The reactive style policing did however have a down side. Officers became dissociated from the one to one relationship associated with Small Town Ontario.

Modern police services have now realized that they cannot succeed in meeting the needs of the community without the help of its citizens. Ontario police services have all adopted the “Community Based or Contemporary style policing” concept.

Community policing is, in essence, a balance between community involvement in policing strategies and the retention of the ability to respond quickly and effectively in emergencies. The backbone of “Community policing” is the partnership between the community and the police.

Officers of the Barrie Police Service are proud of the number of partnerships that have been formed within our community; partnerships which have enhanced our ability to provide responsive and effective service.

Today’s Barrie Police Service is committed to provide accountable, responsive, and cost efficient policing services to the citizens of our City, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We have grown from one County Constable to a Service composed of over 341 both sworn police officers and civilians.

Source: Barrie Police Service Archives