Festival City Rotary Newsletter April 24, 2012
The Rotary Club Of Festival City
President: David Moore
Minutes of the meeting of April 24, 2012
Club email: festivalcityrotary@gmail.com
Club web blog: www.festivalcityrotary.blogspot.com
ClubRunner site: www.festivalcityrotary.ca
Guests: Mirjam Schutt, Geza Wordofa and Phanuwat Kongwattananon (Nu).
Draw Prize: Jane Kirkpatrick won the prize donated by Ron Rogers.
Announcements:
- Bingo: Volunteers are needed to assist with Bingo on Sunday May 6 at 5 PM. If you can assist notify Etienne Leushuis at etienneleushuis@gmail.com or sign up on ClubRunner by clicking on Bingo May 6 under upcoming events.
Guest Speaker: President David Moore introduced Sam Theocharis who presented his classification talk. Sam is the Inspector of Uniform Division with the Stratford Police Services. Sam graduated from the Ontario Police College in October of 1988 as a first class constable. By 1995 Sam became an Acting Sergeant which is the starting point for further promotions. In 1998 Sergeant Theocharis was seconded to the OPC as an instructor training recruits. The OPC is world renowned and number one in North America for its training. The college trains up to 500 recruits at a time. After returning to the SPS Sergeant Theocharis had a variety of roles including, Commander of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU), being in charge of high risk offenders, the sex offenders registry and major case management.
In January 2008 Sam was promoted to Inspector Uniform Division. Under his command are four platoons, each with a sergeant and 8 constables. Also in the division are 19 civilians with an administrative sergeant. Sam’s responsibilities include the R.I.D.E. program, media, S.I.U., and Office of Independent Police Review. He also liaises with the courts and the Crown’s office and is involved with traffic blitzes, a four counties initiative.
Sam’s family emigrated from Greece in 1957 and settled in Stratford opening the Limelight. His dad was in the police force in Greece. Sam met his wife Mary at Western in 1985. They have two boys Peter and Thomas. Sam has been very active in Minor Hockey and has held several positions such as President of minor hockey and has helped organize tournaments. Sam has also served on several boards including the Provincial Police Promotional Examination Committee, and the OACP Diversity Committee. Among the courses Sam has studied include Business Administration at Conestoga College, political science at Western and the Canadian Police College in Ottawa etc .
Sam was thanked by Jack West