The Thunder Bay Police Service today proudly observed the formal swearing in of its new Chief of Police, Darcy Fleury.
The Change of Command Ceremony, which concluded the formal transition from Retiring Chief Dan Taddeo to Chief Designate Darcy Fleury, took place at a public ceremony attended by more than 200 people at the Delta Hotels by Marriott at 2 p.m., Monday, May 15.
Members of the Thunder Bay Police Service, the public, and numerous honoured guests and delegates representing a variety of organizations and community stakeholders were present for the formal ceremony.
Originally from Manitoba, Chief Fleury is a proud Member of Manitoba Metis Federation, where his father was a founding member.
Fleury has 36-years of policing experience with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and was most recently the RCMP District Commander – Chief Superintendent, Central Alberta District based in Edmonton. Fleury brings to the position an extensive experience in investigative, operational, and administrative policing, including leadership at senior and executive levels. His career spans postings in the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, and Alberta.
Fleury arrived in Thunder Bay on April 17 and assumed the role of TBPS Chief Designate. During his first month, Fleury worked alongside Retiring Chief Dan Taddeo so both could work through a transitional period that ultimately led to today’s formal swearing in. Taddeo and Fleury formed a collaborative working relationship to help the new chief better understand the unique needs and challenges of the police service and the community it serves.
Today’s ceremony concludes Chief Taddeo’s 36-year career in law enforcement. He joined the Thunder Bay Police Service in 1988, and spent his first 19 years of his career in operational policing primarily, between the Uniform Patrol and Criminal Investigation branches.
He was promoted to the rank of Detective Inspector in 2007, and is credited with creating the TBPS’s first Break and Enter Unit, which led to a 22 per cent reduction in break and enter offences after one year of operation.
QUOTES:
“I am grateful to the Board for selecting me as your next Chief of Police. Being your next Chief of Police offers me the opportunity to mentor and help others progress, to develop structure and create a sustainable system of policing and police leadership that will serve the department and people of Thunder Bay well."
“Chief Dan Taddeo spent 36 years serving and protecting. Over our time together, I have noted that Dan is passionate about serving and helping our community. I witnessed Dan offer leadership and encouragement. Thank you for your service, Dan and for taking the lead during sometimes difficult times.”
– Thunder Bay Police Service Chief Darcy Fleury
“I have had the opportunity of working with Chief-designate Fleury over the past 4 weeks and cannot overstate his passion, commitment, and energy in learning and understanding about the crime and social issues affecting our city. There is no doubt in my mind that he will lead this police service successfully forward by building the necessary partnerships and trust that will keep our citizens and members safe”.
“After 36 years in law enforcement, it has been my honour and privilege to lead this police service through difficult times. Despite this, the men and women of the Thunder Bay Police Service engage reactively and proactively everyday without fail to ensure that we remain the social safety net that does not break. I am eternally grateful for their dedication to duty in these trying times and want to thank all of them for their support in “being a force for change”.”
– Retired Chief Dan Taddeo, Thunder Bay Police Service
Photo Credit: Nik Fiorito, for the Thunder Bay Police Service