Features Dispatches
Dispatches: September/October 2023

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.

Photo: Bathurst Police Force

The City of Bathurst has chosen Guy Thériault as new Chief of Police of the Bathurst Police Force. Thériault assumes his new duties on Sep. 26, replacing Gilles Maillet who was serving on an interim basis. A native of Anse-Bleue, N.B., Thériault began his career with the RCMP in Sep. 1998, joining the New Brunswick Division’s District 5 (Kent) Detachment as constable. He joined Moncton’s Joint Proceeds of Crime Unit in 2006 before assuming the same role in Montreal in 2008. From 2008 to 2014, he acted as a supervisor and team commander in the Organized Crime program. From 2014 to the present, he was either running a detachment or supervising several detachments within specific districts, the latest being as District Commander for the RCMP’s N.B. Northeast District (10 detachments) since 2022.

Photo credit: Kai Liu

Treaty Three Police Service (T3PS) Chief Kai Liu recently announced his plans to retire after serving 37 years in policing. Chief Liu served in his role until his contract expired Aug. 31, 2023. “Reflecting on the past 4 years, I am especially proud of our most valuable resource – every member of our service. With your collective dedication to serving our communities, together we have positioned our Police Service for continued success,” says Chief Liu of his time with T3PS. “Having served over 37 years in policing, with the last 15 years as Chief of Police for three police services, the time is right to pass command of our Service to the next leader.”

Photo: Metro Vancouver Transit Police

The Metro Vancouver Transit Police Board has selected current Transit Police Deputy Chief Suzanne Muir to be the new Chief Officer. Muir will be the first female officer appointed into the Transit Police Chief Officer position since it was created in 2005. Having joined the VPD in 1995, Deputy Chief Muir, brought over 28 years of policing experience to Transit Police, in a variety of operational investigative and administrative areas. She has worked in the operations division, tactical support section, general investigation unit, major crime section, facilities section and special investigation section. Suzanne Muir will take over the role of Transit Police Chief Officer on October 1, 2023.

Photo: Ontario Provincial Police

Rohan Thompson has been appointed to Deputy Commissioner – Traffic Safety and Operational Support of the Ontario Provincial Police. “I am committed to a safe and secure Ontario by delivering on our comprehensive traffic safety strategy and providing professional support services that meet the needs of our communities and our members.”

The Ottawa Police Services Board has announced that Patricia (Trish) Ferguson and Paul Burnett have been appointed as permanent Deputy Chiefs (DC) of the Ottawa Police Service (OPS). Both DC Ferguson and DC Burnett were in acting deputy roles prior to their appointment.

Photo: Ottawa Police Service

“With the help of the courageous women and men of the Ottawa Police Service, I look forward to building trust, meaningful community partnerships, and creating a safer community for our city,” stated DC Ferguson.

Photo: Ottawa Police Service

“The opportunity to continue to work with the amazing sworn and civilian members of this police service is incredibly exciting. It is my goal to continue to serve the citizens of Ottawa by providing a community centered policing approach that focuses on building safe and healthy communities,” stated DC Burnett.

Photo: Woodstock Police Service

The Woodstock Police Service is mourning the loss of Police Service Dog (PSD) Taz. The Woodstock Police Service K9 Unit responded to a call to assist the Stratford Police Service with a drug related investigation July 3, 2023. While conducting a search, PSD Taz and PSD Striker both appeared to ingest drugs. Narcan was administered and PSD Taz and PSD Striker were rushed to a Veterinarian Clinic. PSD Taz did not make it and died in the line of duty. “We thank Taz for his service to our community and the excellent work he did during his short career.”

Photo: Toronto Police Service

Toronto Police Service members are mourning the loss of their first canine member killed in the line of duty: Bingo. On July 25, police were called after receiving reports of gunshots, and Bingo was fatally shot while searching for a suspect. Chief Myron Demkiw said the brave dog’s death was senseless and tragic. He also expressed condolences to Bingo’s partner, Sergeant Brandon Smith.

Photo: Edmonton Police Service

Edmonton’s longest-serving policewoman, Cst. Arlene Omilian has retired after 43 years of service to the community. Omilian joined the Edmonton Police Service in 1979. “A training sergeant told me to go home and have babies because I would never make it as a police officer. It made me angry and determined to prove him wrong. Today, nobody can even imagine policing without women being part of it,” recalls Omilian. She was also named the first-ever Edmonton Police Association Patrol Officer of the Year in 2010. She officially retired in May.