Deputy chief retires

By: Adam D’Andrea

After 33 years of service, Windsor’s deputy chief of police has announced his retirement.

Deputy Chief Jerome Brannagan said he will be retiring from the force during a press conference Oct. 10 at Windsor Police Services headquarters. The conference came one day before Windsor’s new chief of police was expected to be announced.

Mayor Eddie Francis introduced Brannagan, 56, and thanked him for his service on behalf of himself and the Windsor Police Services Board.

“Jerome has always personified what is good about the Windsor Police Services. He’s someone who woke up every single day with such passion, such vigor, such determination,” said Francis. “He knew the work that he was doing and the service he was providing was making this community a better place.”

Speaking at the conference, Brannagan said it had been an honour to serve in Windsor and be a leader in the community.

“I have always tried to stress we all must be leaders,” said Brannagan. “The public does not care whether you have 20 minutes on the job or 20 years on the job. They expect a leader to walk up the sidewalk and solve their issue.”

Brannagan began working for Windsor police in 1980 as a constable. He became inspector in 2002, superintendent in 2006 and deputy chief in 2008.

During his speech Brannagan also acknowledged his fellow officers who had died while on duty.

“One hundred eighty-nine police officers have given their lives in the line of duty in Canada since I’ve started as a police officer. The worst day of my career was when number 166 died,” said Brannagan through tears, referring to Const. John Atkinson. Atkinson was shot and killed on the job in May 2006 after 15 years with Windsor police.

The conference was attended by co-workers, friends and Brannagan’s family, including his father, retired inspector Fred Brannagan. Fred had been an officer in Windsor for 34 years before retiring in 1983.

Brannagan said he will continue working with the police during the transition to change the culture at Windsor Police Service. The call to change followed a string of brutality allegations beginning in 2009 and the sudden retirement of former police chief Gary Smith in December 2011.

“A new day is dawning, as they say. I’m very optimistic where we are headed. I think it’s in the right direction,” said Brannagan.

Brannagan expects to be fully retired by January 2013.