LAURIE WEIR

The Town of Smiths Falls has its first female police chief.

Jodi Empey, who has been acting as the Smiths Falls Police Service (SFPS) chief since Jan. 1, was officially named to the position on July 4. 

This is her anniversary month, as she started with the police service 30 years ago on July 11.

“My goal is to continue to showcase the benefit of having a local police service with continuous improvements to technology, staffing and training, as examples,” she told this publication the day after her appointment.

“I look forward to this role. I have a great staff, and I do love this community and working with our community partners who all want the same thing — a safe place to live and work.”

Empey brings a profound understanding of the SFPS’s history, the community’s needs, and the strategic vision of the police service’s board. Her career is marked by professionalism, leadership, and the cultivation of strong relationships with community partners and residents. 

“We are thrilled to have Chief Empey as our first female deputy chief and now as our police chief,” said Mayor Shawn Pankow, the SFPS board chair.

“Her dedication and extensive knowledge are vital for leading the force and adapting to the evolving needs of our community. We look forward to her achievements in this role.”

Pankow also highlighted that Smiths Falls is one of 43 municipalities in Ontario providing municipal police services, allowing tailored law enforcement that meets the town’s specific needs.

Empey said there are challenges to the role, but that’s changing.

“Our population growth, calls for service, and the nature of the calls have increased, but staffing hasn’t,” she said. “With the new Community Safety and Policing Act, I have been working to ensure compliance, updating policies and procedures along with looking after the full operational and administrative role of the service.

“Doing two roles for the service for the past six months has been challenging, as it always has a trickle-down effect on other senior members,” she explained.

“We all have multiple roles in a small service. The Police Services Board will soon advertise for a deputy chief’s position to fill that role of overseeing operations.”

Empey started in Smiths Falls as a rookie in 1994 and worked through the ranks, becoming a staff sergeant in 2018 and deputy chief in 2022.

Empey has participated in the World Police & Fire Games, bringing home numerous medals. She said she wanted to represent her country and the police service with pride and be a positive role model for her children.

Additionally, she has been a strong advocate for women facing abuse, collaborating with organizations such as Lanark County Interval House and Community Support and Lanark County Mental Health to assist these women in navigating available resources and support systems.

“I’m honoured to become the 20th chief, a role with a legacy dating back to 1881. Having lived and worked in this beautiful town for the past 30 years, I am proud to lead an amazing team,” she said. “I look forward to continuing our positive vision and direction for the community we serve.”