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- Sault Police Corporate Communications Team Awarded for Excellence in Media Relations
Approved by: 1030 - June 14, 2024
At its recent Annual Conference in London, Ontario, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) announced Sault Ste. Marie’s Police Service’s (SSMPS) Corporate Communications team of Lincoln Louttit and Chelsey Foucher as the recipients of the 2024 OACP/CCN Catherine Martin Award of Excellence in Media Relations.
This award recognizes a sworn or civilian member (or team) who demonstrate consistent dedication and professionalism in the strategic use of media and/or social media to educate and showcase the profession of policing in the community, supporting public safety, or advancing investigations in the Province of Ontario.
“Lincoln and Chelsey have shown just how crucial good communication is for a police service, both within our team and with the community,” says Hugh Stevenson, Chief of Police. “Their innovative and thoughtful approach has kept everyone informed and connected, especially during tough times. This award recognizes their exceptional efforts in making our service more transparent and trusted. We’re proud to have them leading the way in effective communication.”
During difficult times, Lincoln Louttit and Chelsey Foucher have championed the importance of media relations to improve communication with the public while spearheading innovative projects which improve internal communications, increase the reach of messaging, and strengthen relationships with equity-deserving groups.
The SSMPS’s Corporation Communications team managed a number of crises with tact and compassion – hosting press conferences, speaking with members of local media, and keeping the community informed on social media.
New strategies were developed to improve internal communications and informational awareness within the service. These strategies have made a big impact in keeping SSMPS members informed.
The Corporate Communications team has also made enormous strides in enhancing relationships with equity deserving groups. Mr. Louttit and Ms. Foucher consult with community groups to ensure internal documents and social media messaging are respectful and representative. The team also produced Cooking With a Cop, a cooking show where each episode involves an officer cooking with a community leader from an equity-deserving group. These efforts have also complemented SSMPS’s EDI strategies, which have been well received by community leaders.
The team’s innovative projects have also extended to public safety messaging. For example, Mr. Louttit and Ms. Foucher launched ‘Safety Tips and Tangents with Traffic Joe’ – an animated video series with a humorous tone to provide road safety tips to the public.
The team’s innovative ideas and engaging content have exponentially increased the service’s social media followership. In 2023, SSMPS gained 4,235 Facebook followers (117% increase from 2022), reached 1,218,361 individuals (270% increase), gained 1,091 Instagram followers, and started a LinkedIn account to reach new demographics with public safety messaging and recruitment efforts.
This annual award is made possible by the generous support from theHamilton Police Service.
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- Great Northern Road Collision Investigation
Approved by: 1030 - June 14, 2024
Members of Traffic Services are currently investigating a motor vehicle collision that took place on June 13, 2024.
Around 3:00 p.m., officers responded to a collision involving a scooter mobility device and a motor vehicle in the 300 block of Great Northern Road.
The collision took place in the parking lot of Staples on Great Northern Road.
The scooter operator was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Anyone who may have dash cam footage or surveillance footage, or may have witnessed the collision, is urged to contact Traffic Services by calling Acting Sergeant Ben Williams at 705-949-6300 ext. 382.
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- Youth Charged with Robbery
Approved by: 1030 - June 14, 2024
On June 11, 2024, officers with Patrol Services charged a 15-year-old with robbery and failure to comply with an undertaking.
On June 8, 2024, 911 Communicators received a report of a youth being robbed while taking a walk on Nelson Street. An investigation revealed the accused, who is known to the victim, approached the victim from behind, pulled them to the ground, and proceeded to kick and stomp on them. The accused then stole property belonging to the victim and left. The victim sustained minor physical injuries. A warrant was obtained for their arrest.
On June 11, the accused attended the Police Services Building, and they were arrested.
The accused is charged with:
- Robbery
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking
The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on August 13, 2024.
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- One Charged with Break and Enter, Theft, Mischief
Approved by: 1030 - June 14, 2024
On June 11, 2024, officers with Patrol Services charged 38-year-old Matthew Cain with break and enter, theft, and mischief.
On June 7, 2024, officers attended a business in the 600 block of Great Northern Avenue in response to a break and enter which had occurred on June 4. An investigation revealed the accused had cut a hole through a fence, stolen an item, and damaged property in an attempt to enter another area of the business. A warrant was obtained for their arrest.
On June 11, 2024, officers attending an unrelated call located the accused and they were arrested on the strength of a warrant.
The accused is charged with:
- Break and Enter
- Theft Under $5,000
- Mischief Under $5,000
The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on August 12, 2024.
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- Search Warrant Executed on East Street
Approved by: 210 - June 13, 2024
On June 13, 2024, members of the Crime Suppression Unit, Drug Enforcement Unit, Emergency Services Unit, and Patrol Services, with assistance from members of the Ontario Provincial Police, executed a search warrant at a residence in the 0-100 block of East Street.
Four people were located inside the residence and arrested.
Officers remain on scene as the investigation is ongoing.
Further details will be released as they become available.
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- One Charged with Break and Enter, Mischief
Approved by: 1030 - June 13, 2024
On June 10, 2024, officers with Patrol Services charged 57-year-old Daniel Black with break and enter and mischief.
Around 9:30 p.m., 911 Communicators received a report of a break and enter in progress at a vacant residence in the 0-100 block of Albert Street East. Officers were dispatched to the residence where they located several broken windows and the accused sleeping inside on a couch. They were arrested.
The accused is charged with:
- Break and Enter
- Mischief Under $5,000
The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on August 12, 2024.
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- One Charged with Operation While Impaired, Operation While Prohibited, Mischief
Approved by: 1030 - June 13, 2024
On June 9, 2024, officers with Patrol Services charged 40-year-old Charles Syrette with operation while impaired and several other offences.
Around 8:00 p.m., 911 Communicators received a report of a vehicle crashing into a fence belonging to a business in the 1000 block of Black Road. Officers were dispatched to the scene where they located the vehicle, as well as the accused standing near it. Upon speaking with the accused, officers developed grounds to believe their ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol.
While the accused was placed under investigative detention and lodged in the back of a cruiser, they kicked the door multiple times, causing it to break. They were arrested. An investigation also revealed the accused is prohibited from driving.
When transported to the Police Services Building, the accused was read a demand for a breath sample and refused to provide one.
The accused is charged with:
- Operation While Impaired – Alcohol and/or Drugs
- Failure or Refusal to Comply with Demand
- Operation While Prohibited x2
- Mischief Over $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking x8
- Driving While Under Suspension (under the Highway Traffic Act)
The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
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- One Charged with Robbery
Approved by: 1030 - June 13, 2024
On June 9, 2024, officers with Patrol Services charged 37-year-old Jeannine Recollet with robbery and resisting a peace officer.
Around 2:50 p.m., 911 Communicators received a report of a robbery at a business in the 200 block of Northern Avenue. Although the accused left the business prior to officers’ arrival, officers were dispatched to the area and located someone matching the description of the suspect on Great Northern Road. Officers gained physical control of the accused, who resisted by attempting to pull away. They were arrested. A search of the accused found them to be in possession of a knife and a stolen item.
An investigation revealed the accused brandished a knife and ran out of the business when confronted by staff about placing items into their bag without paying for them. The accused was also wanted on a warrant for failing to attend court, as well as for a robbery in 2023.
On August 2, 2023, 911 Communicators received a report of a shoplifter attempting to hit an employee with an object when confronted about stealing items. This suspect was later identified as the accused, and a warrant was obtained for their arrest.
The accused is charged with:
- Robbery x2
- Resist Peace Officer
- Fail to Comply with Appearance Notice
The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
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- One Charged with Assault After Spitting on Security Officers
Approved by: 270 - June 7, 2024
On June 6, 2024, officers with Patrol Services charged 37-year-old Krystal Breckenridge with assault.
Around 3:00 p.m., 911 Communicators received a report of someone assaulting security officers at a business in the 200 block of Bay Street. Officers responded. An investigation revealed the accused had stolen items from a business and spit on security officers who approached them to retrieve the stolen items. The accused was already in custody of security officers, and they were arrested.
The accused is charged with:
- Assault
The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court on August 12, 2024.
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- One Charged with Assaulting Peace Officers
Approved by: 270 - June 7, 2024
On June 6, 2024, officers with Patrol Services charged 29-year-old Kelson Reid with assaulting peace officers, assault, uttering threats, and mischief.
Around 12:20 p.m., 911 Communicators received a report of someone assaulting two security officers in the 700 block of Great Northern Road. Officers responded and an investigation revealed the accused had verbally threatened and physically assaulted two security officers. They had also lit and smoked a cigarette inside a building despite signage indicating smoking was not allowed. The security officers sustained minor physical injuries.
While officers were investigating, the accused became aggressive and lunged at them with a fist raised. Officers gained physical control of the accused, and they were arrested.
The accused is charged with:
- Assault Peace Officer x2
- Assault x2
- Uttering Threats
- Mischief Under $5,000
The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
