Two top Niagara cops announce their retirements

Two top cops are retiring from the Niagara Regional Police Service.

Today (July 28), Jen Lawson, chair of the Niagara Police Services Board, announced that Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch and Deputy Chief Brett Flynn formally told the board that they plan to retire on Feb. 1, 2024.

According to a news release, MacCulloch has been involved in policing for over 39 years. He was first appointed chief of police on Sept. 28, 2017.

MacCulloch started working with the Niagara Regional Police Service in 1984 as a constable in St. Catharines. Before becoming the region’s top cop, he served as the deputy chief of operational services for over four years.

Throughout his career, MacCulloch has held various operational and senior leadership positions within the Niagara Regional Police Service, including district operations and detective services, as well as positions with the tactical, marine, fraud, and homicide units.

MacCulloch has been involved with several local charitable organizations and received a Governor General of Canada’s Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal and Bar. In October 2019, he was invested as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by former governor general Julie Payette.

“It’s truly been an honour to serve as the ninth chief of police in the history of the Niagara Regional Police Service, and I thank the police services board for having the trust and confidence in me to lead the men and women of this great police service. Throughout my tenure as chief, I have witnessed firsthand the compassion, empathy, and the selfless dedication of our members, while they served and protected our community through some of the most unprecedented and challenging times in our history,” MacCulloch said in a statement.

“I am extremely grateful for the many friends, colleagues and mentors that have guided and supported my career throughout the years. While not an easy decision, I leave this incredible organization confident in the leadership, professionalism, and the unwavering commitment of our members to continue to provide the highest quality of policing to the citizens of Niagara, while continuing to meet the growing needs of our community.” 

According to a news release, Flynn has been part of the Niagara police service for over 33 years.  He was appointed deputy chief of police on Sept.28, 2017.

Flynn currently leads the operational services functions of the service and is responsible for all frontline policing.

Also involved in charitable organizations, Flynn has received numerous awards over the years, including the Governor General of Canada’s Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal and the prestigious Order of Merit of the Police Forces.

“I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have been part of my journey in policing. The memories, friendships, and accomplishments will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I will carry the lessons learned and the cherished moments with me as I embark on this new phase of life,” Flynn said in a statement.

“To the civilian and sworn members of this Police Service who serve our community, please know that you are my heroes, and I am so proud of the work you do every day. Please continue to look out for one another in your continuous efforts to keep Niagara safe.”

Lawson said the board will determine the processes it will follow to recruit a new chief and deputy chief over the next several weeks.

“It is anticipated that the Board will embark on a search for our new Chief and Deputy in the coming months,” Lawson said in a statement.