Posted:
(3:45 p.m.)
Superintendent Stephen Sykes has announced his retirement effective March 31, 2013 after dedicating himself to the police profession for 39 years, first with Dartmouth Police Department and then Halifax Regional Police (HRP).
As a member of the HRP Senior Management Team, Superintendent Sykes has been instrumental in creating community policing initiatives such as Adopt-a-Neighbourhood, Citizens on Patrol and HRP/Halifax Mooseheads’ One-on-One programs. He has also made significant and lasting contributions to policing in the area of special event planning. Between 1998 and 2005, he was responsible for the police involvement in over 500 events of various scope and sizes, including the G7 Finance Ministers’ meetings, Tall Ships, the Congrès Mondial Acadien and the 2004 Presidential visit.
For the past three years, Superintendent Sykes has led the Criminal Investigation Division which encompasses many specialized investigative units. Under his strong leadership, investigators have undertaken numerous operations to target weapons offences and drug activity in our community and solved many serious crimes.
Earlier this year, Superintendent Sykes received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to policing and his community. He will be missed for his extensive knowledge of policing, high standards, dedication and sense of humour. HRP employees wish Superintendent Sykes all the best in his retirement and in whatever new challenges he takes on in the future.
Superintendent Jim Perrin will replace Superintendent Sykes in the Criminal Investigation Division. Superintendent Perrin brings several years of investigative experience to this role, including having worked in Drugs, Major Crime and other specialized sections. He is also adept at tactical policing; he is trained as an Incident Commander and has participated in and now oversees the Emergency Response Team. Since being promoted in 2009, Superintendent Perrin has managed the West Divisional Patrol Office and the Support Division. He is looking forward to this new challenge.