A new police chief has been named for Timmins.
Sydney Lecky has been appointed as the 17th Timmins Police Service chief. It is effective May 15.
He has over 29 years of policing experience and has held various leadership roles with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), said the Timmins Police Service board in its announcement.
A member of Peskotomuhkati First Nation, the board says he is "deeply committed to advancing efforts on reconciliation and combating systemic racism within the justice system."
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 Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.
“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.
Lecky will replace acting chief Denis Lavoie, the former top cop who came out of retirement to help out the service. The chief's position was first vacated in November when Dan Foy, who had been in the role since February 2022, suddenly retired.
"We are confident that Chief Designate Sydney Lecky's extensive experience and commitment to community policing will greatly benefit the Timmins Police Service and the residents we serve," said board chair Kraymr Grenke in a news release
The board is also grateful for Lavoie helping the transition period. Lavoie will continue serving as the chief until the change of command ceremony. More details on that are expected in the coming weeks.
"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," said Grenke.
