CPS Member Spotlight On Director Gina Wilson
written by JaimeKristal Lott
Born and raised in Cobourg, it is no surprise Gina Wilson wanted to be a police officer herself when she grew up. It seemed somewhat glamourous with the uniforms and car chases, plus it looked like a very important job. Yet life lead her in a different direction and Wilson instead took a position as a secretary with St. Peter’s Anglican Church.
Gina Wilson worked with the church for five years before deciding to upgrade her education and to chase her childhood dream. After graduation, Wilson learned of an opening at the police station and applied to become a dispatcher. While she did not get that particular job, she did eventually become the first female special constable in Cobourg.
At the time there were only five special constables, and it was a different job than it is now. The constables travelled a lot both in and out of town, plus had more administrative support. In those days, typewriters were used to write reports but when computers and other technology became a part of policing, the officers were given more responsibilities… such as completing all of their own paperwork.
After three years, Wilson made the move from being a special constable into a more administrative position as the secretary to the Chief of Police. While she enjoyed being an officer, she wanted to leave shift work behind as it allowed her to be at home more with her two sons. The boys were big into hockey, so she was also an executive with their house league and all-stars for ten years.
As the chief’s secretary, Wilson spent a couple of hours each day doing criminal record checks but it was not until a retired police officer asked the station to do some screening for his budding private security agency that it sparked an idea. Over the following twenty-five years, with the support of the chief, Wilson gradually built the Corporate Services Department until it became what it is today: the largest wholesaler of third-party criminal record checks in Canada.
As the Director of Corporate Services, Wilson runs the department that now has thirty staff members. She is very proud to have been a part of growing this division and of her team. When asked about her next steps, Wilson’s mischievous side came out when she said “I’m looking forward to retirement in the next three years or the Chief’s job, whichever one comes first.”
She went on to say she does not intend to leave her position as Director as she feels it is the perfect place to continue providing the best services she can. The plan is to continue building Corporate Services, streamlining processes, and developing new products that will create additional revenue streams for CPS.
Wilson is an inspiration to many people, including her children. One of her sons also became a Special Constable himself. Their respective jobs keep them quite busy so their paths do not cross much while at work, but Wilson appeared to be pleased he was following in her footsteps. Special Constable Wilson does not intend to go into Corporate Services like his mother, but she likely sees him more than enough outside of the office anyways as Wilson’s favourite thing to do is spoil her grandchildren.
“I’ve had a great career with the Cobourg Police Service. It’s been a big part of my life. I just do what I can to help people along.”