Northumberland OPP Inspector Brian O’Halloran retired from policing after working his last shift on Friday, July 31, 2020.
O’Halloran spent 35-years serving the public, first with the Royal Canadian Navy then as a police officer with the Metropolitan Toronto Police Service, then finally with the Ontario Provincial Police.
“I wanted to write a handful of parting words to the public we serve and most importantly the police officers and staff who I have worked alongside for more than 30 plus years of policing,” said O’Halloran in a e-mail sent to fellow officers.
Because of COVID-19, O’Halloran’s day on Friday, went by quietly, but O”Halloran shared a e-mail with Today’s Northumberland that he sent to his officers at the detachment’s in Cobourg, Brighton and Campbellford.
“Sir Robert Peel had it right from the very beginning when he said “The police are the public and the public are the police.” You are us and we are you. You are the reason why we do what we do.”
O’Halloran said most police officers will say they joined policing because they wanted to make a difference for communities, for families, for victims for the vulnerable and for those struggling souls stumbling through the very worst days of their lives.
“It was never about money or power or fame.”
“It was for the adventure and for the painful privilege of venturing into the hurting places.”
“In spite of our very evident imperfections, the vast majority of the men and women I’ve had the privileged to work with through the years are just about as extraordinary as people can be: people of courage and compassion, of heroism and humanity, of bravery and brilliance, of determination and that precious, old-fashioned thing called duty.”
“These are challenging times for members of police services across the country. Police demand is rising – as people fall through the gaps in the provision of other public services. Threats are rising, complexity in policing is rising – as crime crosses international borders and digital frontiers. But, at the same time, police officer numbers are falling. Officers are stretched beyond capacity and I see more good people working under significantly more strain than at any point in my career.”
“The truth is that police will always do our job better when we do it side-by-side with the public.”
O”Halloran said policing is about two things. Serving the public and the people that wear the uniform proudly.
“Policing is all about our people – It’s people who save lives; who find lost children; who protect the vulnerable, who confront the dangerous; who stand on freezing cold streets at all hours of the day and night; who get bitten and spat at and punched and stabbed and shot. It’s people who, sometimes, pay the greatest price of all.”
O’Halloran said aside from his wife and two children, working as a police officer was the greatest love of his life.
Speaking to his officers he said, “most of all, I love your endless courage and humanity. You’re not perfect, but when you are at your best, you represent the very best that human beings can be.”
“It has been the greatest privilege of my professional life to count myself amongst you: to count myself a member of this extraordinary family in blue.”
Editor’s Note: As a member of the press for three decades I can say that Inspector O”Halloran exemplified what a police officer should be.
O’Halloran worked with Northumberland OPP as a Constable before moving on for several years, then returning back to Northumberland OPP as an Inspector to finish his career.
As a member of the media dealing with police is sometimes “difficult.”
Sometimes police and media almost speak different languages.
Inspector O’Halloran knew the role of the media. We didn’t have to agree, but we always had a respect for each other and knew the roles of each other.
He understood the role of the press and that sometimes is something police don’t understand.
Over the years, depending on what police officer or agency I was dealing with anxiety could be a factor if I wasn’t sure who was on the other end of the phone line.
Knowing it was O’Halloran was very comforting. We could disagree, we could argue, but the respect was always there. He would always “listen.”
O’Halloran may have been an Inspector but he always took pride in his job and his officers. I remember him working on speeding enforcement in Hamilton Township just last year. It’s not to often you would see an OPP Inspector holding a radar unit.
It wasn’t for the photo, or the glory, O’Halloran stood in front of Dale Road Public School to serve the public that day. In fact, the principal came out and thanked O’Halloran personally for his efforts.
Nothing was to minor or major for O’Halloran. He was keen to learn even as the role of Inspector. From what I witnessed, his happiest times were outside of the office.
Whether it was looking over a tractor trailer that had just lost a wheel, or asking questions to the MTO about an inspection, O’Halloran always was willing to learn and supported his officers.
Inspector O’Halloran will not only be missed by officers in Northumberland County, but he will be missed by members of the media and myself.
Today’s Northumberland wishes Brian, nothing but the best in his future as he his served the Ontario Provincial Police and Northumberland County with pride.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
