The police chief in Halifax is retiring after a rocky final chapter of his career in the city.
Dan Kinsella made the surprise announcement at the city police board meeting on Wednesday and is wasting no time making his exit.
Kinsella’s retirement will take effect next Friday (September 15).
“After 37 years of policing, I am announcing my retirement. It’s been an honour and a privilege,” said Kinsella. “My greatest thanks go out to HRP members whose professionalism and dedication I have witnessed with the greatest pride and gratitude, to members of Hamilton Police Service before then and all those professionals that I’ve had the honour to serve alongside.”
Kinsella watched over the city as it attempted to mend tense relationships between the force and minorities, deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the riot in downtown Halifax over the removal of homeless tents and sheds from municipal property.
There were also questions over his leadership as the union representing police officers held a vote of non-confidence.
The results revealed cracks in moral and questions over leadership within the force as 96 per cent of those who voted stated they did not have confidence in Kensella as a leader.
He began his policing career in 1986, and moved to Halifax in July 2019. He served for 33 years with Hamilton Police Service, retiring as Deputy Chief.
“Chief Kinsella led Halifax Regional Police through a tumultuous period within society at large and policing in particular, with challenging circumstances that included a global pandemic, growing calls for accountability in policing internationally and locally, and, tragedies that impacted our own communities,” said Halifax Board of Police Commissioners Chair Becky Kent. “We thank him for his leadership throughout this difficult time with his sharp focus on public safety and operational continuity.”
The city will begin the search for the next police chief in the coming weeks and an interim leader will be named in the coming days.
