A change in leadership has been announced for the Chatham-Kent Police Service.
The Police Services Board said on Thursday that Gary Conn has announced his retirement, effective June 14, after nine years as chief of police.
Conn was initially hired by the London Police Service in 1995 before joining the newly amalgamated Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) in 1998. He was appointed chief designate in April 2015 before officially taking over as chief of police in May 2015.
During Conn’s tenure as chief, the board said he was known as a progressive and people-focused leader.
“He facilitated the creation of a state-of-the-art training facility and firearms range, while bringing CCTVs to the core downtown areas of Chatham-Kent,” the board said in a news release. “Over the years he has worked in collaboration with the board and associations to increase and enhance wrap-around supports and services for police personnel dealing with work-related operational stress injuries. Finally, he championed the Deloitte Staffing and Operations Resource Analysis which increased the authorized strength of the CKPS by an additional 43 full-time members.”
The board has named Deputy Chief Kirk Earley as Conn’s permanent replacement. He will assume the role on June 15 before officially being sworn in on June 19.
The police board said the ability to maintain a qualified candidate and promote from within was a key factor in its decision to promote Earley.
With nearly three decades of policing under his belt, Earley began his career as a special constable with the Chatham Police Service in 1997. He was then sworn in as a constable with CKPS in 1998. Since then, he has served and had supervisory roles in several branches of the department, including Community Patrol, Training, Community Priority Action Team, Major Crime, and the Intelligence Unit.
“Deputy Chief Earley is deeply rooted in the Chatham-Kent Community, being born and raised here. He understands the organization, the people, and the needs of the community,” said Board Chair Patrick Weaver. “The board has full confidence in Kirk’s ability, with an extensive career in all aspects of the organization, this will serve him well as he leads the service into the future.
A Change of Command and Swearing-in Ceremony will be held on June 19 in Council Chambers at the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre.