Southern Georgian Bay OPP has a new detachment following the appointment of Insp. Joseph (Joe) Evans to the post.
Evans has served the Midland-area community since October 2019 as the interim detachment commander and officially received the permanent placement on Aug. 16.
Evans has been with the Ontario Provincial Police since 1999, rising through the ranks after retiring as a warrant officer from the Canadian Armed Forces Battle School at CFB Borden, located about 20 minutes west of Barrie.
During his OPP career, Evans has worked in various roles in a variety of investigations and specialty services, along with administrative duties, personnel training and supervisory leadership duties throughout the province. He's also a graduate of the FBI Leadership Academy, the OPP Parade Commander and was an aide-de-camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
Evans and his family reside in the Midland area.
"Midland is very fortunate to have Insp. Joseph Evans as the detachment commander for Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment," Midland Mayor Stewart Strathearn said in a news release. "An individual who, in the short time he has been here, has remodeled portions of the detachment to effectively help with street issues and drug crime. Significant drug arrests have occurred since Inspector Evans' arrival. Increased foot patrols by regular uniformed officers have reduced citizen complaints about aggressive panhandling and harassment in the downtown and have resulted in a reduction in break and enters.
"To be perfectly frank, we would like to recognize his outstanding leadership and appreciate Inspector Evans' continued presence in our community," the mayor added.
