New OPP detachment commander named for Sudbury and Nipissing West areas
Formerly a constable with the police force in Sturgeon Falls, Nathalie Rifou returns to her community
The Ontario Provincial Police North East Region has named Insp. Nathalie Rifou as the new commander of the Nipissing West OPP Detachment, which includes Sudbury.
A news release says Rifou started her career in 1999, with the West Nipissing Police Service, working for 20 years as a constable and then a sergeant, an intelligence officer, and major crime investigator.
In 2019, The West Nipissing Police was amalgamated into the OPP, where Rifou maintained the rank of sergeant, and soon became a detective sergeant with the Professional Standards Unit. where she was the lead investigator of a two-year major project in the Greater Toronto Area.
In 2022, Rifou was promoted to staff sergeant and operations manager at the OPP communications centre in North Bay, and was eventually promoted to be the inspector of the Nipissing West OPP Detachment.
"I am very proud and honoured to return to my home community to lead the Nipissing West Detachment and its dedicated officers. Together, we will continue to provide a gold standard front line emergency response and investigative services to the communities we serve. I have full confidence in my team in keeping our communities safe. We will thrive on creating and maintaining partnerships with our community leaders and engage with external agencies," said Rifou in a statement.
In 1974, 50 years ago, the OPP welcomed its first female constabes.