Saugeen Shores Police Chief Dan Rivett chronicles his policing and family’s journey during his tenure in Saugeen Shores.

Hub Staff

Attendees to Unifor on Friday, November 24 were witness to plenty of pomp and pageantry as an appreciation and retirement event for Saugeen Shores Police Chief Dan Rivett was held. Rivett has a combined 20 years service in Southampton and Saugeen Shores including 11 years as chief. Rivett’s last day on the job will be Thursday, November 30 with Mike Bellai being sworn in as the new chief the following morning.

From Town Crier Neil Menage’s opening laced with thanks and light humour to Neil Aitchison’s closing that brought the house down with raucous laughter delivering one liner after one liner while dressed as an RCMP officer. Kent Milroy acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening as he called upon Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith, Police Services Board Chair and Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau to offer their thoughts and insights gathered over the past 11 years working with Rivett.

Others used the podium to sing the praises of the soon to be retired chief. They included Brian Larkin, Chief of the Waterloo Regional Police Service and President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police; Chief Garry Hull of the Gananoque Police Service and Saugeen Shores’ Police Constable Adam Sachs and Sergeant Andy Evans. Sachs was particularly creative as he steered the audience with some fine deadpanning of how the inner office environment actually works with Chief Rivett.

After an introduction of Chief Mike Bellai and his wife Sandra, Inspector Ken McCulloch offered flowers and a toast to Rivett’s wife Glenna.

Dan and Glenna spoke of acceptance and the next stage of life as the two plan to move closer to three young grandchildren in the Rideau Lakes region of Ontario.

The chief covered a long list of individual and group friendships with many in attendance such as his softball team and the Rotarians.

This evening was complete with a full course meal provided by Unifor staff including an enviable chocolate strawberry tree and replete with roasting, toasting, hugs and tears.

Dan and Glenna ended the evening with a meet and greet remaining strong, kind and poised as always.

The Rivett family, from left, daughter-in-law Haley, daughter Allison, wife Glenna and son Tom.

Neil Aitchison stole the night with his humourour one liners.