New Timmins Police Chief Dan Foy has a plan as he takes over the leadership of the service.
He's going to acquaint himself with the different units in the department and partners in town, and really get to know what the issues are in the community.
A 27-year policing veteran, Foy was sworn in as the new chief today, taking the reins from John Gauthier, who served in the top spot for 11 years.
The ceremony was held at the Timmins Public Library. Gauthier and Foy's families were in attendance, along with officers from the OPP and Timmins Police, paramedics, three retired Timmins Police chiefs, and other partners.
Gauthier announced his retirement in September. Foy was named the new chief in November.
Last week was Foy's last day as the James Bay OPP detachment commander. His OPP career started in Chapleau in 1995 and he's also served as the South Porcupine OPP detachment commander.
With changing demographics in the city, Foy said it's very important to "connect with all segments of our population."
He expects to connect with the policing Indigenous Advisory Committee shortly and talked about a recent visit to the city's first Sikh temple.
Foy is taking the helm amid an opioid crisis and other serious investigations, including several unsolved murders.
“I’m very much aware that there’s been some prominent investigations that have occurred as a result of events that happened in 2021. We have a very dedicated team of investigators (who) are advancing the investigation, they’re working extremely hard and we remain committed not only to advancing the investigation but to working with our partners in policing throughout the Province of Ontario to combat organized crime, to advance the investigations and to provide people with a sense of safety,” he said.
As a leader, Foy said he's people-centred.
“Meaning that I will work with our staff. I will attend some of the calls that they go to on occasion to support them, to find out firsthand the realities of what they face on a daily basis,” he explained.
With his policing career so far being with the OPP, he's proud of the opportunities he had there and is looking forward to working in an urban environment with different social issues.
"The work remains the same. The investigations are the same. The people are the same. It’s just the challenges need to be addressed in a different way,” he said.
What's next for Gauthier
Tomorrow, for the first time in nearly three decades Gauthier won't be heading to work at the police station.
He plans to rest, relax, have coffee with the boys and see what comes.
“But you know what, I’m keeping my options open. I’m looking at different things, speaking to different people, I don’t think it’s the last you’re going to hear from John Gauthier,” he said.
With a municipal election coming up in October, he's been talking to people about seeking a spot at the council table.
While he said there are some conversations to have first, it would "absolutely not" be for the mayor's seat.
He's open to other opportunities that could come up between now and the election. The one thing he knows is that he's not done with community service yet.
“I’m only turning 57 in August and I think I have a few more good years in me,” he said.
Walking away from policing, Gauthier's going to miss the camaraderie.
Having dealt with serious incidents in the last 11 years, he said he's extremely close with the command team and people that were working around him.
"I don’t think there was a day that went by that we didn’t have a laugh about something. We kept it light as best we could with all of the challenges that we had from day in, day out and it was a lot of fun. I’m going to miss that,” he said.
Gauthier said Foy is going to do an outstanding job as chief.
“The experience that he gained as a police commander within the OPP is going to serve him well. There’s no doubt about it,” he said.
