The Timmins Police Services Board announced Thursday that it has appointed the city’s next chief of police. Sydney Lecky has been appointed as the 17th Chief of Police for the Timmins Police Service (TPS) – effective May 15. He is currently the chief superintendent and commanding officer of the Northwest Territories Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and is overseeing 23 detachments. Lecky has over 29 years of policing experience and has held various leadership roles with the RCMP and he also serves on the board of directors for the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, said the police service board in their announcement. As a member of Peskotomuhkati First Nation, the board said, in a news release, Lecky is “deeply committed to advancing efforts on reconciliation and combating systemic racism within the justice system.” “His distinguished career includes serving as police chief in Kamloops, Terrace and Mackenzie, British Columbia, where he successfully led his teams through numerous challenges, including crime conflicts, natural disasters, and the aftermath of the Indian Residential School discovery,” reads the news release. “The people of the Timmins are on the number one priority of the board and the chief’s office,” said board chair Kraymr Grenke in an interview with CTV News. “He (Lecky) definitely looks forward to coming to our community and having those conversations with both associations, leadership and administration in the organization from the municipal side.” We are confident that Chief Designate Sydney Lecky’s extensive experience and commitment to community policing will greatly benefit TPS and area residents, said Grenke, in the announcement. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with our community partners under Chief Designate Lecky’s leadership and to working together to address the needs of our community and uphold the safety and well-being of all residents,” he said. Grenke said he has had conversations with the mayor and a few councillors already and they are looking forward to what perspective Lecky can bring to the city. Lecky will replace acting chief Denis Lavoie, Timmins’ former top cop who came out of retirement to help out the service. The position of Chief of Police was vacated last November when Dan Foy, who had been in the role since February 2022, retired suddenly. “The Timmins Police Services Board would like to express its sincere gratitude to Interim Chief Denis Lavoie for his dedicated service during this transitional period,” the board said in the announcement. “Lavoie has provided invaluable leadership and guidance and we extend our heartfelt thanks for his contributions.” Lavoie will continue to serve as chief until the Change of Command ceremony – details of the ceremony will provided in the coming weeks. – With files from CTVNorthernOntario.ca journalist Ian Campbell
