The Altona Police Service is celebrating a century of service in the community as the agency marks its 100th anniversary this year.

Current Chief of Police, Perry Batchelor.

It all began in 1919 when a village night watchman was hired to improve safety by filling and lighting street lanterns before dark, and making sure kids obeyed a newly implemented curfew. Later that same year the first police constable, Isbrand Toews, was hired, taking over those duties in addition to many others like repairing streets and sidewalks, working as a school janitor and a truancy officer.

"I think those early day police officers were responsible for everything from soup to nuts, which in all honesty we do to this day, including barking dogs all the way up to serious files," said Perry Batchelor, current Chief of Police for the service. "However, we don't worry about repairing sidewalks and we don't light the lantern anymore, although if members are on shift at night and they see a street light is burnt out they do report it to Manitoba Hydro, so maybe we are lamp-lighters in a way," added Batchelor, noting lighting is an important element to safety.

While the local constable was busy enforcing the town curfew, which affected residents 16 years old and younger, another duty in those early days was to crack down on prohibited liquor. Since then, Batchelor says many laws and legislation have changed, even during his 22 years with the service. He points to the recent legalization of cannabis, changes to the Criminal Code regarding drinking and driving, and variations of sexual offences.

Technology also now plays a role in crimes from voyeurism to scams. "The computer, for everything that fantastic about the Internet, there is the dark side," noted Batchelor.

However, technological advancements have also paved the way for the creation of sophisticated investigative tools to battle crime, from machines that collect and analyze DNA to instruments that help in the detection of alcohol and cannabis use.

While Batchelor says he could go on about how the Altona Police Service has changed over the years, he notes one thing remains the same and that is Altona continues to be a safe community with dedicated officers committed to maintaining that safety.

Looking ahead to the next 100 years, the police chief says staying current while continuing to earn and maintain trust and respect with residents of Altona will be critical to the agency's future success.

To celebrate this milestone anniversary, the Altona Police Service is hosting a community ball later this month in support of Altona YFC - The Station.

Click here to view a brief history paper on the Altona Police Service written by Perry Batchelor, Chief of Police.

In an effort to round-out his research, Batchelor is looking for more information and/or photos on some of those early police officers. Anyone with something to offer on night watchman Henry Schellenberg, and constables Isbrand Toews, Klauss Enns and Cornelius Sawatzky are asked to contact Batchelor at the Altona Police Service.