KAWARTHA LAKES-Inspector Mark Mitchell will fulfill a dream he’s had for eight years when he takes over the helm of the Kawartha Lakes Police Service at the end of August. Current Chief John Hagarty is retiring after almost 13 years as the City’s top cop.
“I’m very humbled and honoured and I’m very appreciative to have the boards recommendation and support and and I’m appreciative to have Chief Hagarty’s support over the years. Inspector Mitchell told Kawartha 411. “Its something that I’ve seriously put my mind to about 8 years ago and to have had Chief Hagarty’s coaching, mentoring and support over the years has been very beneficial and means a lot.”
The announcement was made today at the Police Services Board Meeting. Chief Hagarty, who has lead the service for almost 13 years, says the board made the right choice. “He’s a natural leader, he’s well respected in this community he has a good sense of humour and people look up to him and want to follow him.”
Mitchell began his policing career with the Peel Regional Police in 1988 and joined the Kawartha Lakes Police Service, formerly Lindsay Police, in 1990, working his way up to his current position of Inspector. In 2009/2010 Mitchell was seconded to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, International Peace Operations Branch and was assigned to Afghanistan and Kandahar. He has been the recipient of the Police Exemplary Service Medal, Canadian Police Commander’s Citation for Exemplary Service to the Afghanistan Mission and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.
Police services Board Chair, Don Thomas, who is a retired police officer said, “Inspector Mitchell has a very strong management skills and an exceptional proven leadership style.” It’s the first time in 60 years that the Chief of Police has been hired from within the Police Service. “The Board is very pleased to have such a qualified applicant from within the service.” Thomas said.
Mayor Letham is also pleased with the decision. “I’m very excited, I think he’s an awesome candidate, we are very lucky to have him in our service and I think the whole community will win as a result of this.” Letham commented to Kawartha 411. “I think it will make for a really seamless transition to another chief having a good internal candidate who meets that criteria.”
As a result of Mitchell’s promotion there’s going to be a trickle down effect and create other movement within the organization. Mitchell says the timing of the changing of the guard means he will have to hit the ground running. “I think with the Chief retiring over summer we are going to be right into a budget process in the fall and the boards business plan at the end of 2018, so I’m really excited to work with the board and I have some ideas about how we will map out our future as an organization.”
Mitchell says he will keep the status quo when it comes to the decision not to arm officers with Naloxone, the drug that reverses an opioid overdose. “Right now our decision as an organization has been not to do it, I don’t have any immediate plans to change that.” Mitchell says. “But certainly that’s something we will continue to monitor and adjust if the need arises.”
Mitchell is married and has two kids. He will officially be sworn in at a Change of Command Service on August 30th and his first day on the job will be August 31.
