By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
HALDIMAND — With the retirement of Haldimand OPP’s Detachment Commander (DC) Phil Carter, Inspector Jodi Kays of Norfolk OPP has stepped into the big shoes Carter leaves behind.
We spoke with Kays about the assignment and her 30-year career with the OPP so far.
Kays knew from a young age that she wanted to be a police officer, applying for the OPP after finishing her post-secondary education and beginning her OPP career in 1993 at a detachment in Sharbot Lake.
“I transferred to Brant County Detachment in 1996 and then Haldimand OPP in 2001,” recalled Kays. “I worked frontline and in the crime unit, holding different positions within the detachments such as media relations officer, school resource officer, property crimes, domestic violence investigator, and firearms instructor.”
In 2007, she left Haldimand OPP for a position with the OPP’s Child Sexual Exploitation Unit, where she had the opportunity to work on numerous major cases, leading to a temporary assignment with the Provincial Intelligence Unit.
“I was promoted to Detective Sergeant and then to Sergeant Major in Professional Standards. During this time, I worked for 10 months in our Risk Management Section. In 2022, I was given an opportunity to act as an Inspector in Criminal Operations for West Region and I was promoted to the rank of Inspector the summer of 2022 as the Detachment Commander in Norfolk.”
She said that the various roles have given her valuable insight and skills, adding, “With 29 and a half years of experience I don’t think I can pick only one thing that was a highlight! Each opportunity I have had has provided me with knowledge and experience that I hope I can translate to provide effective leadership to the members of Haldimand.”
She said in addition to her OPP career, her family and close friends have provided a solid foundation for her: “I certainly could not have completed this journey without them.”
Kays described the role of Detachment Commander as a position with a broad range of responsibilities, explaining, “The primary goal is to ensure the citizens of Haldimand County receive professional and cost-effective policing services. In concert with our community partners like the Haldimand Police Services Board, we deliver a ‘made in Haldimand’ policing plan that responds to community problems with an intelligence-led solution.”
“Our officers know their community and they know the problem areas. By deploying our resources where they’re needed most, we can deal effectively with issues of community concern,” she continued. “Every community policed by the OPP has access to the significant resources this organization can bring…. My approach will be to listen to all public safety stakeholders in Haldimand to make sure residents receive policing services that are effective and relevant to their community.”
While Kays said she will need to spend some time in Haldimand to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing the community, she intends to ensure that members of the detachment have the necessary supports to help cope with the loss of Constable Greg Pierzchala, who was tragically shot and killed in an incident outside of Hagersville in December.
“It has been a difficult time for our officers, but I can share with you that the outpouring of community support in the months that followed Greg’s death has been critical in their healing journey,” said Kays.
She said an important part of her role is meeting with Haldimand’s public safety partners to “determine their priorities and determine how we will work together to achieve the goals that they’ve identified.”
Kays commended retired Detachment Commander Carter, stating, “I would like to say congratulations to Phil, and I hope he enjoys time with his family. May this new journey refresh and strengthen him.”
She concluded, “I am looking forward to working with the members of Haldimand Detachment, as well as the community, to understand the priorities and build partnerships with a shared vision for safety and wellbeing.”
