Constable Drew Wilder came to the Grey Bruce area in 1986 after completing his studies at Conestoga College and the University of Waterloo. While attending school, he managed a sporting goods store that sold windsurfers in the summer and Alpine and Nordic ski equipment in the winter. He provided instructional training for both sports for the company. He was also a bartender at a nightclub close to the university.
Wilder spent most of his off time either on the shores of Lake Huron surfing or sailing or alpine skiing at Grey county ski resorts. At a young age, Wilder always stated he wanted to work in this area.
In 1986 he accepted a position with the Ontario Provincial Police and was stationed in Owen Sound. This detachment later became the Grey County detachment. To date, he has served under the command of four O.P.P. commissioners.
In 1991, Wilder was trained as a Technical Collision Investigator and upgraded to a Collision Reconstructionist in 1999, after graduating from the Canadian Police College in Ottawa. He has been part of the investigative team of over 200 fatal collisions and has been deemed an expert in the field of collision analysis in the criminal courts.
Wilder was also trained as a marine officer and has worked with the detachment marine unit since 1994. In 1998 he was trained to operate the “launch” class of police vessel which enabled him to operate any vessel in the O.P.P.’s 135 vessel fleet. In 2000 Wilder became a marine instructor for the O.P.P. Academy and today he currently teaches police officers and other government employees to be marine operators. He currently is a Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue instructor, a commercial vessel Transport Canada instructor, a Canadian Power and Sail Squadron instructor and has attained the rank of Captain with his Transport Canada Master Limited qualification.
In 2006 Wilder became the Grey County detachment’s community services officer. His duties included media relations. Wilder participates in several community programs but initiated one special program teaching children and adults the dangers of the Internet. In 2008 he was asked to present an overview of his program to the Ministry of Education’s Safe School Symposium in Toronto. His work has been shared province wide.
Wilder is currently assigned to a High Enforcement Action Team (H.E.A.T.) that is responsible for specialized duties. These duties include snowmobile, ATV and bike patrols. Wilder is also involved with the marine unit and media relations.
Wilder is very involved with several community organizations. He served on the Board of Directors with the Grey – Owen Sound Children’s Aid Society. He served as the president of the North Bruce – Grey Chapter of Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.), from 2006 to 2008, was assigned to a special committee with M.A.D.D. and he along with 15 other representatives met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to plan for stronger anti-drinking and driving laws. Wilder was the only police officer on this committee. As of September 2009, he has been appointed to M.A.D.D.’s National Board of Directors working with 20 chapters in Western Ontario. Wilder also serves as Vice-Chair on the Board of Directors for St. John Ambulance of Grey Bruce.
Wilder is the recipient of the Police Exemplary Service medal and was Knighted with the Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, wearing the service cross which he was awarded for his dedication and service to the community.
Wilder states he plans to work the remaining years of his police career in the Grey Bruce area. He states,
“I love the community as much as the local geography. There’s no place I’d rather be.”
