A swearing-in ceremony has not yet been announced, but there will be a formal ceremony. Now that Fordy has been selected as chief, the search begins for a replacement for now-retired Deputy Chief Brett Flynn and a replacement for Fordy in his former role. The Police Services Board expects to select a candidate by the end of March. Pictured: Fordy alongside former chiefs Jeff McGuire and Bryan MacCulloch. Photo Credit: NRPS.
Niagara Region has chosen its new police chief: Deputy Chief Bill Fordy has officially replaced Bryan MacCulloch, who retired on Feb. 1.
Fordy served as one of MacCulloch’s deputies for the entire time MacCulloch was the chief of police, beginning in 2017.
Jen Lawson, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Services Board, made the announcement on Monday.
“What impressed the Board the most about Chief-Designate Fordy is his knowledge and experience in diverse and complex policing issues,” said Lawson in a statement released to the press. “He has been a valuable contributor to the NRPS senior leadership team over the past six plus years.”
Fordy has 35 years’ worth of experience in policing. Before moving to Niagara to serve as Deputy Chief, Fordy lived in British Columbia and served with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He held the post of Assistant Commissioner, overseeing all operational and administrative issues in the Lower Mainland District.
As Assistant Commissioner in the Lower Mainland District, Fordy was responsible for overseeing 13 detachments in 28 communities, with 3,522 employees and serving over 1.8 million people. Prior to serving as Assistant Commissioner, Fordy worked with the RCMP in a variety of areas, including homicide and leading the investigative service.
Fordy made a statement that was released along with Lawson’s following the announcement of his appointment.
“It is truly an honour and privilege, and I am humbled to become the Chief of the Niagara Regional Police Service,” said Fordy. “In that capacity, I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the great professional and sworn members of the NRPS, as we all work together with the communities we serve.”
Fordy has received a number of honours for his service. That includes receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He is also very active in the local community and is a volunteer coach and executive member of a local minor hockey association.
Fordy dabbled with a professional ice hockey career before embarking on a career in policing. He was a ninth-round draft pick for the Hartford Whalers (now the Carolina Hurricanes) in 1983.
Fordy was a key player in crafting policing strategies and collecting evidence that ultimately led to the conviction of Robert Pickton, also known as “The Butcher.” Pickton was a pig farmer in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, and is known as one of the worst serial killers and rapists in Canadian history. Pickton has been convicted of killing six women and was charged with 26 other murders. He has confessed to as many as 49.
A swearing-in ceremony has not yet been announced, but there will be a formal ceremony. Now that Fordy has been selected as chief, the search begins for a replacement for now-retired Deputy Chief Brett Flynn and a replacement for Fordy in his former role. The Police Services Board expects to select a candidate by the end of March.
Jay Goldberg is the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. He previously served as a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
