GUEST SPEAKER: Todd Rollauer, interim Chief, Durham Regional Police Service
Introduced by Dave Andrews:
A few weeks ago, we found out that The Durham Regional Police Services Board announced that Deputy Chief Todd Rollauer has been appointed as the force’s interim chief of police. Todd took over on Sept. 12. Last month, Chief Paul Martin announced his intention to retire in September.
Todd Rollauer began working with Durham police in 1987 as a cadet and has worked at senior levels since 2010.
He was promoted to inspector in 2010, superintendent in 2013 and was appointed deputy chief in November 2018. Todd is no stranger to the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood. He has accompanied retired Chief Paul Martin on his visits to our club a number of times. Todd says that, “It is an honour to accept this appointment and to serve our community as interim chief of police.”
Chief Todd Rollauer’s Remarks:
Chief Rollauer gave an over view of the forces work specifically in Oshawa.
He said since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in March, crime has decreased in all areas. Just recently have they seen a slight increase in the crime rate. In July alone, they received 11,000 calls.
During COVID-19, all the officers were protected with adequate PPE . Only 4 (out of 1200) were infected and 3 of them are back to work
To date, they have received only about 20 calls for no masks in retail establishments. Most of those were resolved before the police arrived.
He is concerned about the amount of gun violence—it is double what it was last year_Most of the shootings were gang related. He noted that 77% of the gun used in crimes is in Oshawa, Ajax and Pickering.
He touched on the tragedy last week in Oshawa with the deaths of the Traynor family members, so well liked in our community. This has deeply affected the entire Oshawa community. Homicides in Oshawa now stand a 6 – a real shock to our system. He was very pleased at the Go Fund Me page set up for the Traynor family and urged us to make a contribution.
He really feels support from the community all the time.
In response to question about body cameras, he indicated that is going to the Board next month . It is a 3 million dollar cost. He noted that he has not seen a change in officer behavior with those wearing cameras , but they do make the people feel safer around the officers.
He said they were dealing with the violence in the tow truck industry.
Regarding crime and the homeless issue , particularly in downtown Oshawa, Todd said that they cannot arrest their way out of the homelessness problem.
He touched on the gun registry saying registered gun owners are not the problem.The illegal guns are increasing. He said that in his 30 years in DRPS, if you take one gun off the street 30 years ago, that was a big accomplishment. Now this is being done daily.
He has mental health workers and nurses going out with officers when the call indicates it is a mental health problem. He noted that 160 officers have received mental health training and that 3 more nurses are being hired.
He looks forward to meeting with us again in person next year.
Todd Rollauer was thanked by Past President Lennis Trotter.
NEXTSCHEDULED MEETINGS:
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