Hamilton's next police chief will be promoted from within

Hamilton's next police chief will come from the service's internal ranks, rather than be an outside hire like Chief Glenn De Caire was — a decision designed in part to improve morale in the service.

Lloyd Ferguson, an Ancaster councillor appointed police services board chair for another year on Thursday, said there are a lot of qualified senior officers already in Hamilton. By choosing one, he hopes it will lift the spirits of rank-and-file officers.

"We took seriously the association survey when they said that morale is low," Ferguson said. "This will create excitement if we can promote everyone right down through the organization.

"There could be six or seven promotions out of this by the time we're finished. It will create great enthusiasm and I hope pick up morale within the membership."

A survey in the fall of 695 officers and civilians shows the service could use it. About 50 per cent of Hamilton police who answered reported "extreme dissatisfaction" with their jobs. They also opposed extending the contract of then-chief Glenn De Caire, whose contract was extended. This month, De Caire left the service to be new director of security and parking at McMaster University.

De Caire was hired six years ago from the Toronto police service to be a change maker. It's a different time now, Ferguson said.

"I think a number of our internal service members were disappointed that we didn't look internally," Ferguson said. 

It will take about two months to find a new chief. The role of interim chief will rotate between Eric Girt and Ken Weatherill, two deputy chiefs.

Girt is the most experienced deputy chief, and will serve as chief for the rest of January. He wouldn't say if he planned to apply for the job.

"We have been developing a number of candidates internally," he said after the closed-door board meeting. "The pool is strong and I think it'll be a competitive process."

The next chief will be chosen from a potential pool of 16 senior officers — seven superintendents, seven inspectors and two deputy chiefs. That pool includes 14 men and two women. It's not known how many of them will apply for the post.

The board has already gone through two recent job searches for deputy chief. Weatherill was appointed as deputy chief in October 2014, while Inspector Dan Kinsella is an acting deputy chief.  

Also in-camera on Wednesday, the board approved a retirement package for De Caire. Ferguson wouldn't give details, advising media to file a Freedom of Information Act request.

"Everything is in compliance with his current contract and the senior officers' collective agreement," Ferguson said.