Toronto police name Myron Demkiw as new chief

Toronto police have chosen a new chief.

In an announcement Thursday, the Toronto Police Services Board said Myron Demkiw had been selected as the next chief of the force.

“Myron Demkiw is a national police leader, who has dedicated his career to enhancing public safety in partnership with Toronto’s diverse communities, including preventing and effectively combatting gun and gang violence, while supporting the police service’s ongoing reform and modernization agenda,” the notice read.

The board said Demkiw will assume his new role as chief on Dec. 19, after a three month transition period.

The board said Demkiw is a 32-year veteran of the service. He is currently the acting deputy chief of the force’s specialized operations command.

Board Chair Jim Hart said Demkiw “meets the call put out by Torontonians who seek a police leader that possesses extensive operational policing experience to keep our city, its residents, and its visitor safe, while applying a modern vision of community safety that is progressive and community-centred.”

Hart said the board is “confident” in Demkiw’s “proven track record of designing proactive, progressive and solution-focused approaches and initiatives that effectively deal with our city’s complex and ever-changing community safety and well-being needs.”

Toronto Mayor John Tory congratulated Demkiw, saying he is a “veteran police officer who is a respected policing expert when it comes to community safety and well-being, as well as gun and gang violence prevention and intervention.”

He said he knows Demkiw will “continue the work underway on police reform.”

“This is so important – the work to build and rebuild trust cannot stop,” Tory said in a statement. “We must continue to reform and modernize our police service, and we must ensure that every resident across our city feels respected and protected.”

Demkiw said he is “honoured” to be the next chief of the force.

“I am deeply invested in the city of Toronto and its people, and I am committed to the integrity and success of the Toronto Police service.”

He offered his gratitude to Chief James Ramer, and to the members of the force.

Demkiw said the organization is “grieving the loss” of Const. Andrew Hong, who was killed in a shooting in Mississauga on Monday.

“While I wish to thank the Toronto Police Services Board for their trust and confidence, and extend my gratitude to my colleagues, both sworn and civilian, I will reserve further comment at this time, out of respect for Constable Hong, his family and our Members,” he said.

In a statement Thursday, the Toronto Police Association (TPA) said Demkiw has “risen through the ranks” of the force over his 30-year career.

“Through these positions and various roles, the TPA believes that Chief Designate Demkiw is well versed in the issues that matter the most to members,” the statement read.

TPA President Jon Reid said this is a “challenging time for policing.”

“Lack of staffing and resources, increased gun violence, and uninformed criticism all impact the wellbeing of our members, their families, and the community,”  Reid said.

He said as Demkiw transitions to his new role, the TPA is looking forward to “working with him on these issues and others.”