Speaker Bios > Pierre Bernard

Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Pierre Bernard began his military career in 1980 when he joined Montreal’s 2nd Field Regiment as a reservist at age 16. Two years later, Pierre signed on with the regular Canadian Forces ending up with E Battery (para) the Airborne artillery battery at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. In 1988 he was accepted as an officer candidate and graduated from College Militaire Royal in St-Jean in 1992 where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, Minor Administration, obtaining the highest academic average in his program.

During his Regular Forces career, Pierre served in Cyprus in 1985 in the Reconnaissance Platoon, and again in 1993 in Regimental Headquarters. Pierre also served in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1994-1995 as Mortar Troop second-in-command. He has also participated in NATO exercises in Norway and in Turkey and in exercises at US Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Bliss, Texas.

Pierre’s younger sister, Caroline, is an Inspector with the St-Jerome police service, north of Montreal. He credits his sister’s impressive professional accomplishments for inspiring him to pursue a second career in policing. Pierre was introduced to Peel Police by a family friend, liked what he saw when he made a special trip to test for the recruit constable program, and left the Canadian Forces to join them in 1997.

Pierre’s wife of 24 years, Darlene, and their son, Vince, are also part of the Peel Police family. Darlene works in Quality Assurance (Audit) and Vince works in Communications. Pierre has another son, Maxim, who owns a landscaping business and a grand-daughter, Laila, age 3.

Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan’s struggle for stabilization drew him back to his soldier roots. He rejoined the reserves in 2003 with the 11th Field Regiment in Guelph and requested a leave of absence from Peel to volunteer for a tour of duty.

Pierre deployed to Afghanistan in April 2008 with the Joint Task Force Afghanistan Headquarters and was employed as a Liaison Officer at FOB Hutal in Maywand District, and subsequently as the Senior Duty Officer, and Watch Keeper in the Provincial Operations Centre at Kandahar Airfield.

Completing his tour in February 009, Pierre arrived home with a renewed appreciation for Canada’s wealth, high standard of living, and its safe and secure environment. Pierre also resumed his police duties earlier than he was scheduled to. He looked forward to working with his colleagues again and he was newly motivated to move forward in his career with Peel Police.

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