The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 7, 2006 - 15 Beyond the thin blue line Community says farewell to chief and leader ensuring tolerance in the post9/11 era. This legacy, he maintained, "made a real differAlthough the crowd that ence." bid farewell to retiring Police "You laid a peaceful foundaChief Ean Algar last week was tion for Halton," he said. "The a large one, it still only people of Halton will always touched on the breadth of look up to you." respect with which he's Algar was also lauded for regarded clear his tireless across Halton "You laid a peaceefforts in making ful and beyond. Halton as safe as After all, even foundation for possible for its though there Halton. most vulnerable were police officitizens, as The people of cers, politicians, voiced by Sexual representatives Halton will always Assault and from non-profit look up to you." Violence agencies, spokes- Sansar Singh Rai, Intervention people for faith Halton Gurdwara Services (SAVIS) and multiculturexecutive direcal groups, senior citizens and tor Jacqueline Benn-John and teenagers, it was obvious Janette Mitchell of the Halton Algar's impact on his commu- Violence Prevention Council. nity could not be encapsulated Jean Clipsham of the in an hour's worth of heartfelt Halton Organization for Pride presentations -- but they cer- and Education (HOPE) echoed tainly tried. these sentiments. "You are loved and cher"Chief Algar, you are a ished ... in this community," champion of human rights," Laila Eiriksson, speaking for she said. the Halton Multicultural Representing the local Council and the Bahá'ís of Portuguese community, Oakville, told a visibly moved Theresa Rodrigues also Algar. thanked Algar for making her During this event -- held community safe then promat regional headquarters on ised him some port wine. Algar's last day as chief after 38 Siddiq Burney from the years in policing -- the word Halton Muslim Association most often repeated was "lead- struck a chord with Algar ership," made in reference to when he told the chief that he both his style of discharging did not take positions on his duties as well as the sub- issues for reasons political or stance. otherwise, but because they "We're sad we're losing a were the right things to do. He great champion," said Francis then saluted Algar. Cordero de Bolanos, of the When it was time for the Spanish Speaking Association, chief to speak, he was clearly who gave Algar an authentic overwhelmed by emotion and Mexican sculpture. said he was "humbled by your "Your work and leadership comments today." have really made a difference "It's been an emotional day. in this community." It's been a great day," said Veronica Tyrrell, of the Algar, the first Halton Chief of Canadian Caribbean Association, Police to rise entirely through went one step further and told the local ranks. (He joined the Algar he provided a "gold stan- old Oakville Police Force in dard of leadership" while in 1968.) "I should be standing office, a term that was a "real up here thanking you." model of inclusion and partnerHe then did thank everyone ships." on hand for their "tremendous "Now you are leaving a har- support" of his efforts then monious community," she addressed those police officers added. in attendance. This theme of leaving "It's been a wonderful Halton better than Algar found time," said Algar, whom it was a recurring one Halton Regional Police throughout the hour. This, Services Board member said Abdul Qayyum Mufti of Al Richard Burgess called a "conFalah Mosque, was based in summate policing professionlarge part on the relationships al." "I can't tell you how fast 38 he cultivated with a wide spec- years have gone. It's a career I trum of constituencies. have enjoyed immensely." This, said Sansar Singh Rai, Algar then said he plans to of the Halton Gurdwara, was spend more time with his famproven no better than by the ily and his garden and, after "vital role" Algar played in some thought, volunteer in OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF By Howard Mozel some capacity in his community. Algar replaced former Chief Peter Campbell effective Jan. 1, 1999 and was officially sworn in seven days later. Although he was responsible for the entire region, Algar had a special local connection. A self-confessed "old Oakville boy," Algar attended three area high schools (OTHS, White Oaks, Perdue) and has always been proud of his Oakville roots. Algar -- now a Burlington resident and married father of two -- spent several years specializing in drugs before the Oakville force was absorbed by the regional body in 1974. Three years later Algar was promoted to sergeant. In 1981 he made staff sergeant and was transferred to Burlington. A year later he was promoted to inspector and was soon back in Oakville. His star continued to rise -- staff inspector, staff superintendent -- before he was named Acting Deputy Chief of Police Administration in May 1994. LIESA KORTMANN/ OAKVILLE BEAVER SHARING A HUG: Retiring Halton Regional Police Chief Ean Algar gets a hug from Theresa Rodrigues of the local Portuguese community.