Retirement Is Days Away For The Chief of Police

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Wednesday, 12 June 2019 08:12

Retiring Police Chief - Bill Renton. Courtesy: Woodstock Police Service

Chief Bill Renton is putting in his final hours on the job as he gets set to sail off into retirement. Renton says he is excited to start his next chapter.

WOODSTOCK - The Chief of Police for the City of Woodstock is enjoying his last few days on the job.

Bill Renton will officially call it a career at the end of the week. He says he is looking forward to becoming a regular citizen after a 39 year policing career that spanned several decades.

"I am looking forward to being a normal citizen and spending time with my family. My wife who has held down the fort for so many years, raising three wonderful children and now we have two grand kids, Benjamin and Gregory and I look forward to spending time with them. Spending time with them and enjoying it, we like to travel, I have a great group of friends and family, just sitting back, maybe having the odd pint here and there, telling stories and just enjoying life."

Renton says he will miss working with the great people at the police station and is really proud of the work they accomplished during his time as Chief.

"I just wanted to say it has been a real pleasure to have had the opportunity to be the Chief of Police here and thank the community for all of the support they have given me over the years, I want to thank the media for all the support and help you have given us over the years and huge thank you to the Woodstock Police Service."

Renton's last day is on Friday and the reality is starting to sink in.

"It is actually starting to hit me, as I was driving in today, I was thinking, what the heck am I going to do, not coming into work every day, as I have for the last 39 years, but I am looking forward to it, I am really excited about it."

Under Chief Renton's leadership of the Woodstock Police Service many changes have occurred. He has spear-headed renovations to the Court House with a strong desire to improve the safety for all. A pride that we all share from Chief Renton’s leadership is the new addition to the station. Although it seemed to take a long time to complete, the day of the Open House the Chief clearly demonstrated his pride in the building as the community viewed the facility. Chief Renton's desire to build better supports throughout the community saw the Woodstock Police Service partnering in the Oxford Situation Table MHEART. Mental Health Engagement & Response Team to support the community's most vulnerable people including those suffering from mental health, addictions and homelessness issues. Chief Renton is a compassionate man who cares deeply about the people in his service, as well as the community."

Chief Renton has been with the Woodstock Police Service since July 1st, 2010 where he started as the Inspector of Operations. He probably best known for his lead role as Major Case Manager in the high profile Tori Stafford investigation in 2009. Over 900 officers from across the province were involved in the multi-jurisdictional investigation, which received not only national, but also international media coverage.

Renton came to WPS with over 18 years of municipal policing experience working with the former Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Police Service, followed by 12 years with the OPP, when he retired as a Detective Inspector.

Chief Renton was the Major Case Manager for a number of other headline crimes including the Douglas Creek Estates native occupation in Caledonia from 2006-2008. His experience also greatly assisted the recent multi-jurisdictional investigation by Woodstock, London Police and the OPP in the long-term care home investigation of murderous Woodstock nurse Elizabeth Wettlaufer.

Renton was promoted to the Chief of Police in 2015 after the retirement of Rod Freeman. He has also received the Order of Merit for Police Services by the Governor General which is the highest form of professional recognition given to serving police officers in Canada.