Community Involvement – Featured Member

   

Jim’s law enforcement career path began in his hometown of Amherstburg, Ontario at Boblo Island as a security officer in 1975.  He became Chief of Security in 1977!  He worked there during the spring and summer months.  His winter months were spent as a security officer at Windsor Raceway.  Jim got a taste of policing for four months as a Windsor Police Cadet when he was 18.  He found the office work tedious and just wanted to be out “racing around in a cruiser” and face to face with the public.  He returned to his two seasonal security jobs and lucky for Jim, he met his beautiful wife Leslie in the summer of 1977 when they both worked at Boblo.  They have been married for 34 years and are the very proud parents of Amy, Jamie and Doug.

In January 1979 at the age of 21, Jim was hired by the Sarnia Police Service and immediately walked the beat in plain clothes alongside his Coach Officer, Phil Nelson!  The department could not find “Big Jim” a uniform so, for almost 6 months, he blended in with the public getting on-the- job training in between his Aylmer Police College training.  The first 11 years were in Uniform Division on General patrol where he walked the beat and patrolled in a cruiser.  For two years he was in the Joint Force RCMP/SPS Drug Unit where he “busted some doors” in plain clothes. 

Jim returned to Uniform for another 8 years where he honed his “bird dog” skills in finding stolen motor vehicles, catching thieves “in the act” of break and entering  and dedicating himself to serving and protecting the citizens of Sarnia.

In 2000, the Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving Unit (COPPS) was established and Jim applied and was accepted.  For 5 years, he teamed with many fellow officers to deal with the crime issues within the community.  Whether slowing down high school student on their way to “fast food alley”, catching “joy riders”,  or breaking up a major “chop shop”, Jim enjoyed his time in the COPPS unit.  The bicycle patrol detail was first introduced to the community during this time.  

In his final 5 years in uniform, Jim’s keen sense of finding stolen cars and catching criminals at alarm calls continued from cruiser #1.  If you came into the station from time to time, you would find him at front desk duty.  To this day, Jim misses meeting the public on the beat and the thrill of driving around in a cruiser. 

Now as a civilian employee, Jim did not find it difficult to make the transition from full time Constable to part time Court Security.  His 31 ½ years of policing experience with the City of Sarnia has allowed him to stay in touch with the public and current with the many cases now before the courts.  His present work assignment has enabled Jim to “wind down” his career to his satisfaction and still take in all the extras retirement has to offer.

For 20 years, Jim was a Director on the Sarnia Police Association.  He was in charge of the vending machine that contributes to the Police Bursary Fund.  He is still servicing the same machines.  He also helped establish the Monday Night Emergency Two Pitch League and continues to play today with his son, Doug.  Early in his Association days, he organized Association picnics and even a trip to Boblo Island! 

Like most police officers, he is an adrenaline junky and in his leisure time he continues to ride motorcycles and snowmobiles.  His semi-retirement allows him to visit his twin grandsons in London, take in several golf outings and travel with Leslie and all of his extended family.  

Jim Amlin was a dedicated Sarnia Police Officer, hired to serve and protect the citizens of Sarnia.  Today, he is a dedicated civilian, still serving, protecting and working with his fellow Sarnians.