It was announced a few months ago, and now, there’s a change in the top office at the Timmins Police Service.
To the sounds of “The Maple Leaf Forever”, the honour party featuring the incoming and outgoing police chiefs of Timmins were ushered in to a change of command ceremony.
John Gauthier is retiring after 30 years with TPS, eleven in the chief role. Dan Foy was sworn in to replace him, bringing 27 years of OPP experience.
Gauthier told the gathering that as a child, he dreamed of being a police officer. Thirty years have gone by, and he finds himself retiring as chief.
“In 1992, I was given an opportunity to join the Timmins Police Service,” he recalled. “It was a dream I had since childhood. Then, I blinked and 30 years has gone by. I leave today with no regrets whatsoever. I take with me many good memories.”
The outgoing chief added that he would do it again, in a heartbeat.
“The policing profession was the perfect choice for me. And secondly, I will remain a very, very, very proud retired member of the Timmins Police Service.”
At the ceremony were Gauthier’s three predecessors: Rick Laperriere, Denis Lavoie and Joe Harwood. The four represent almost three decades of leading the city police force.
Gauthier’s eleven years make him the second longest serving chief, behind Gordon Beacock.
(Bob McIntyre, MyTimminsNow.com staff)