Features Dispatches
Dispatches: May/June 2024

Photo: Hamilton Police Service

The London Police Service Board has announced the appointment of Treena MacSween as London’s third deputy chief of police, effective April 22. MacSween joins the London Police Service with over 26 years of policing experience, including with the Peel Regional Police Service and the Hamilton Police Service, in progressive leadership roles managing operational, investigative, and administrative portfolios. In 2017, she broke barriers by becoming Hamilton Police Service’s first person of colour promoted to the rank of Inspector. Her subsequent promotion to Superintendent in 2021 solidified a legacy as the fourth woman to achieve that rank in the Service’s history. The appointment of Deputy Chief Designate MacSween marks a historic moment for the London Police Service, as she will be the first woman of colour to join the command team cadre. Upon the appointment taking effect, she will notably become the highest-ranking black female police officer in Canada.

Photo: Oak Bay Police

The Oak Bay Police Board announced that current Oak Bay Deputy Chief Julie Chanin will be appointed as the new Chief Constable effective June 1. Chanin, the first female Deputy Chief Constable in Greater Victoria, was appointed to her current role in April 2022. Deputy Chanin has over 24 years of policing experience, including 13 years with Oak Bay Police, and previously worked for the Westshore and Port McNeill RCMP detachments. “The Oak Bay Police Department has a long history of community policing and I look forward to continuing the work of so many in making Oak Bay a safer community, together,” said Chanin.

Photo: Woodstock Police Service

The North Bay Police Service has named Daryl Longworth as it’s new chief of police. Longworth spent 26 years with the Woodstock Police Service, before becoming the deputy chief of the London Ontario Police Service. He returned to Woodstock Police in 2019, where he served as chief until 2022. Longworth has served as a police officer for more than 30 years. His career has included homicide investigations, undercover drug investigations, tactical operations and investigations into Outlaw Motorcycle gangs. He also served on the Board of Directors with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police for 3 years. Chief Longworth was sworn in on March 25.

Photo: RCMP

Sydney Lecky has been appointed as the next Timmins Police Service chief, effective May 15. He has over 29 years of policing experience and has held various leadership roles with the RCMP. Lecky is currently the chief superintendent and commanding officer of the Northwest Territories RCMP and is overseeing 23 detachments. He’s also on the board of directors for the CACP. A member of Peskotomuhkati First Nation, the Timmins Police Service Board says Lecky is “deeply committed to advancing efforts on reconciliation and combating systemic racism within the justice system.”

Photo: Lakeshore Regional Police Service

Dale Cox retired as the Chief of Police for the Lakeshore Regional Police Service on March 31, after more than 45 years of policing experience. Cox joined the RCMP in 1979 and was posted in rural Saskatchewan and Northern Alberta. After over 30 years with the RCMP, Cox joined the Lakeshore Regional Police Service as their first Chief in 2009. His wisdom, guidance and leadership led Lakeshore Regional Police Service to its success today. LRPS is seen as a leader in self-administered First Nation Policing across the nation attributed to his commitment and work ethic.

Photo: Victoria Police Department

Insp. Jeff Lawson of the Victoria Police Department has recently been appointed to Officer in Charge of Patrol Division. Lawson started his policing career with Blood Tribe Police Service in 2006 and joined VicPD in 2006 and has focused in the areas of organized crime and national security. Lawson recently led Project Lifter, a retail theft operation which resulted in more than 100 arrests and more than $29,000 in shoplifted goods recovered.

Todd Waselovich and Luigi Greco have both been appointed to Deputy Chief of Police for the Niagara Regional Police Service.

Photo: Niagara Regional Police Service

Waselovich is a 25-year-member of the Niagara Regional Police Service and has extensive leadership experience in both Operational Services and Operational Support. Throughout his career, he has served in several positions, including Uniform Frontline Patrol, Detective Services, Special Investigative Services, Emergency Services, Labour Relations, Professional Development, and, most recently as the Superintendent of Emergency and Investigative Services.

Photo: Niagara Regional Police Service

Greco is a 25-year-member of the Niagara Regional Police Service. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of areas, including Uniform Frontline Patrol, Detective Services, Criminal Investigations, Special Investigative Services, Communications, Major Crime, Professional Standards, Professional Development (Labour Relations, Training, Recruiting, Member Support, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion), and, most recently, as the Superintendent of Executive Services.

Photo: Halton Regional Police Service

Kevin Maher has been appointed to the role of Deputy Chief for Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS). Deputy Chief Maher began his policing career in 1987 as a Cadet with the Toronto Police Service before joining the Halton Regional Police Service in 1990. Over the years, he has served in a number of front-line, specialized investigative unit, and senior executive leadership positions – most recently as the Superintendent in charge of Regional Investigations. As one of the Service’s six Critical Incident Commanders, Deputy Chief Maher is responsible for overseeing high-risk incidents in the Region.

Photo: Windsor Police Service

Windsor Police Service has appointed Jill Lawrence to Superintendent for Patrol Operations. Supt. Lawrence has been a member of the Windsor Police Service for over 25 years. In that time, she has served the community in a variety of roles, including with the patrol, marine, drugs and guns, and property crime units.

Photo: Brittani Schroeder

Sgt. Jason McFarlane has been sworn in as the seventh officer in Grande Prairie Police Service’s ranks. Sergeant McFarlane’s career started with the Edmonton Police Service in the fall of 2002, lasting until the fall of 2004 when he joined the RCMP in Elk Point. Since then, he has spent time as a frontline officer and supervisor in General Duty, Traffic, and Community Engagement units. Born and raised in central Alberta, McFarlane is no stranger to policing in Grande Prairie, having worked as a corporal with the Grande Prairie RCMP detachment from December 2009 to May 2016, and then again as sergeant from May 2022 until his hiring with GPPS.

Photo: Brandon Police Service

Brandon Police Service was saddened to announce the unexpected passing of one of their members. In February, Cst. Lucien Ethier was driving his personal vehicle, off-duty, when he experienced a medical issue. Cst. Ethier served 20 years with the Brandon Police Service and was assigned to the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team. “We are devastated by the loss of our fellow officer and friend and our thoughts are with Cst. Ethier’s family and those who worked closely with him.”

Photo: Edmonton Police Service

It was with heavy hearts that Edmonton Police Service announced the passing of retired PSD Finn. Finn and his handler worked the street from April 2015 until September 2023. Finn had a storied career, racking up 212 arrests and even made an arrest on his very last shift. Finn and his handler were ever steady and dependable and were a true example of a great team. The team also greatly impacted their peers within the unit as calm and cool leaders providing a shining example of what a PSD and handler should strive to be.

Photo: Delta Police Department

PSD Dezi was born on November 26, 2011, in Innisfail, Alta. She served Delta Police Department along with other cities in the Lower Mainland District from 2013 to 2020, catching criminals, finding missing people and locating narcotics and evidence with her strong nose. Dezi retired at the end of 2020 and spent her retirement playing with kids and dogs, chasing toys, eating treats, lounging on the family couch and sun tanning on the deck. Dezi was instrumental in raising thousands of dollars through Ned’s Wish for the medical costs of retired police and military dogs across Canada, and we hope her legacy will continue. Dezi passed away on March 20 after a short battle with cancer and she will be missed dearly by her family, friends and the DPD.

PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS, RECOGNITION • If you have an officer in your agency recently promoted or retiring or an individual you wish to have recognized (major award or recently deceased) you can let Blue Line magazine know by emailing: bschroeder@annexbusinessmedia.com.