A former senior officer who spent 25 years working in public relations for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has embarked on a new career in politics after retirement. Bill Dickson has been elected to Smiths Falls Town Council in Ontario, where he hopes to use his experience to address community concerns and contribute to the town’s future development.
During his 25-year career with the provincial police force, Dickson held several important responsibilities. These included spending three years responding to media inquiries from across Ontario and handling questions from journalists, while much of the remainder of his career involved leading communications for the OPP’s East Region.
His work frequently required him to provide information to the media during challenging and sensitive situations, including homicide investigations, serious criminal cases and major multi-vehicle collisions on provincial highways.
Retirement After 25 Years of Demanding Police Service
When Dickson decided to retire earlier this year, some of his colleagues reportedly found it difficult to believe he was actually leaving the force.
He said colleagues often joked that he would never retire because he continued answering phone calls and handling work-related matters even on his days off.
After more than two decades of responding to journalists, appearing on television and radio, and providing updates on sensitive investigations while protecting confidential information, Dickson said the demanding nature of the job had become exhausting.
He eventually decided it was time for a major change in his life.
In April, he took some time off to enjoy a break and step away from the constant pressures of his previous career. He subsequently became executive director of the Lanark Animal Welfare Society.
From Animal Welfare to Local Politics
Dickson has a longstanding affection for animals and has owned dogs for many years. He said he would also have liked to keep cats if members of his family were not allergic to them.
His involvement with the animal shelter initially began as a way to provide additional support. However, over time, his commitment grew, and he started spending three to four days a week working with the organisation.
During this period, he also began considering a move into politics.
His nephew, Clark Kelly, was running for a city council position in Ottawa’s West Carleton-March area. Conversations with his nephew, along with discussions with former Smiths Falls councillors, encouraged Dickson to consider entering local politics himself.
Eventually, he decided to run for a seat on Smiths Falls Town Council.
Property Taxes and Essential Services Among His Priorities
During his election campaign, Dickson focused on meeting residents directly rather than relying on large public gatherings.
He visited local businesses, grocery stores and neighbourhoods to speak with people and understand their concerns.
According to Dickson, residents do not want their property taxes to increase unnecessarily. They want existing essential services to continue and expect the town administration to make decisions that benefit the entire community.
He also highlighted the progress Smiths Falls has made over recent years, particularly through improvements to the downtown area and redevelopment projects involving local parks.
Dickson said he wants to become part of this development process and help ensure the town continues moving forward.
Second-Highest Vote Count in the Election
Dickson secured the second-highest number of votes among the candidates contesting the council election, giving him a strong mandate to represent the community.
Despite his new political responsibilities, he intends to continue serving as executive director of the animal welfare organisation.
He described balancing two part-time responsibilities after years of demanding police service as a new experience.
However, he said his current lifestyle offers something he rarely enjoyed during his policing career: the opportunity to maintain a healthier balance between professional responsibilities and personal time without being available around the clock.
For Dickson, joining Smiths Falls Town Council represents more than a career change. It is an opportunity to continue serving the public in a different capacity, drawing on decades of professional experience to help shape the future of his community.
