The Barrie Police Service has announced the newest member of its canine unit: Routs.
The name 'Routs' was chosen to honour OPP Sgt. Sylvain 'Roots' Routhier. In 2018, Sylvain died by suicide after a struggle with mental illness. He was with Quinte West OPP in Trenton.
Routs’ handler, Const. Paul Chubb, had met Routhier through training courses and had also met the sergeant's wife, Sarah, through their work at Camp FACES for families and children of emergency services.
"Sarah has since become a tremendous advocate for mental health support in policing, and shared that Sylvain always wanted to serve as a canine officer, but unfortunately was allergic to dogs," Barrie police said in a news release.
"Mental health concerns within the community and in policing are on the rise, and more needs to be done to eliminate the stigma that surrounds mental health," the local police service added.
Routs is named in honour of Sgt. Routhier and the struggles that he and many others in the policing community face as they address mental health concerns. Local police say Routs will be an important component of the canine unit and a timely namesake.
“We are excited to welcome K9 Routs to the Barrie Police Service,” Barrie Police Service Chief Kimberley Greenwood said in a release. “We are grateful to be able to honour Sgt. Routhier and the many others in the policing profession, sworn and civilian, as well as the members of our community, who struggle with mental health every day. We also appreciate the continued partnership between the Barrie Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police.”
OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said Sgt. Routhier was a valued member of the OPP’s tactics and rescue unit, and his death "deeply affected our members and our organization."
“As OPP commissioner, I am honoured by the Barrie Police Service’s gesture to commemorate Sylvain with the naming of their new canine member, Routs," Carrique said in a release. "Improving the culture of mental health in policing is a priority for the OPP and we will continue to engage in these vital conversations with our policing partners, while ensuring our members and their families get the support they need.”
Routs is an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois dog, who has recently completed his training with canine unit officer Const. Chubb.
Barrie police thanked the OPP for inviting Const. Chubb and Routs to join their training program.
After 18 weeks of training in total, Routs had his first shift last week and is now on patrol in Barrie.
Const. Chubb is in his 17th year of policing. He joined the Barrie police tactical support unit (TSU) in 2010 and met Routhier in 2015 on a tactical rope access course.
City police say Const. Chubb had always been interested in the challenging but rewarding work of the canine unit and, through his time with TSU, was able to work closely with the canine officers. When the opportunity to join the team arose in 2021, he jumped at the chance.
Routs and Const. Chubb will join Serge and Const. Matt Abofs, and Thunder and Const. John Lamont in responding to a variety of calls, including warrants, robberies, stolen vehicles, weapons and missing people.
For those who are struggling with mental health, there are a variety of resources available on the Sylvain Routhier Foundation website by clicking here.
