Two of Delaware Nation's longest-serving police officers retire after three decades

Lance Stonefish knew what he wanted to be when he grew up the day a police officer came to his kindergarten class and left a police hat on the table.

Every morning, Stonefish went to school early to try on the hat, not knowing this would one day turn into his career. 

Stonefish took off his police hat for good last year after becoming one of the longest-serving First Nations officers with the Moravian Police Service in Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit, also known as Delaware Nation at Moraviantown, about 30 km southwest of London.

"It was kind of difficult for me to retire, but I think my time was due," said Stonefish. "I did everything that I could do for the community, and I hope I left an impression on the youth in the community that whatever you do, you can achieve almost anything."

He and fellow officer Bernard Wieschorster both retired in 2024 after each serving the community for more than three decades.

"It's a tough road," said Wieschorster of the job. "But it is rewarding and I stuck it out — and I'm glad I did."

Both retired officers said policing in Delaware Nation is more than law enforcement, but also supporting the community with anything from mental health challenges to suicide prevention.

"It's a different type of policing that's very community-based, and you're able to see the work that you do," said Wieschorster. 

"It's just being there for them," added Stonefish.

Understanding the community

Both officers lived in Delaware Nation throughout their careers. 

Wieschorster, who is Métis, Cree and Dene originally from Fort McMurray, Alb., started working as an officer at the age of 21 after moving to the community with his wife.

"There was a point where I got to know more people than she did – and she grew up here – just because I'm dealing with them every day. Not just patrolling, but having coffee with people, chatting, stopping by youth centres, just having dinners with people," Wieschorster said.

"You're really integrated that way, versus being off the reserve."

Stonefish, who is from Delaware Nation, said a big part of working in a small community is building rapport, including with children and youth.

"These kids have a lot of questions when they see a person walking in the uniform, but once they get to know me, it's not, 'Hey, there's the policeman,' but now they say, 'Hey, there's Lance,'" he said. "Once you build that bridge, they don't see the uniform. They see you."

Wieschorster said that building connections also helps inform his policing. 

"You know who's having a difficult day and you know their family and can custom tailor a response. It's not a cookie-cutter approach," he said. 

"Just knowing people, if they have had trauma or if someone passed away, you're able to know that so when dealing with them a week later, you're going in with a lot of compassion."

Enjoying retirement

Wieschorster helped transition two new officers into the community before his retirement, which he said also made him feel more comfortable about leaving the job. Now, he's focusing on spending time with his grandchildren and is looking for new ways to contribute to the community. 

Stonefish's wife, Colleen, said she is glad to see her husband retired after so many years as an officer. 

"I'm just glad he made it home every night," she said.

Stonefish said spending more time with family and reducing stress was a part of his decision to step away from the job. He's now picking up his hobbies, including customizing small model cars, some of which he turns into replicas of police cruisers.

"Policing is in me and I'm always thinking about policing," Stonefish said.