By TERRY PUGH
After three and a half years as Chief of the Corman Park Police Service (CPPS), Ron Chomyn will soon be stepping into a new position with the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police (SACP).
Chomyn submitted his resignation as Corman Park Police Chief earlier this summer. His last day on the job is September 12.
He’ll begin his new role as SACP Executive-Director on October 1.
Chomyn , 63, said he’s leaving the CPPS on good terms, noting he’s looking forward to bringing his long experience as a front-line police officer to the provincial association.
“The SACP is the voice of policing in Saskatchewan,” said Chomyn. “I’m at that stage in my life where I was ready to accept an opportunity that still allows me to contribute to policing in this province.”
Chomyn said he had planned on retiring from the CPPS Chief position sometime in the next couple of years, and is looking forward to the new role. He said the time is right to pass the torch to a younger person.
“I believe over the next three years, based on the growth of the RM of Corman Park, that there is going to be growth in the Corman Park Police Service,” said Chomyn. “If we’re going to provide the level of policing service that residents and businesses deserve, then there has to be. I just think it’s a good time for somebody maybe a little younger with fresh ideas to take on the job of police chief.
“If the reeve and RM council want to go in the direction of growing the service and maybe expanding our jurisdictional authority from our current order in council, then it would be prudent to have somebody start with the board of police commissioners on that journey.”
Chomyn began his career at the age of 21 in 1983 with the Estevan Police Service, transferring two years later to the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS). He served with SPS for two decades, including 17 years with the SPS Canine Unit. After retiring from the SPS in 2005, he went on to serve 16 years with the Canadian Pacific Railway Police Service before accepting the position of Corman Park Police Chief in January, 2022.
“The Chief’s job here at Corman Park was kind of the culmination of a career for me,” said Chomyn. “It didn’t disappoint me at all. There’s always going to be differences of opinion, but there was also respectful discussion to find solutions.”
Chomyn said he believes the CPPS has “come a long way over the last three and a half years” and believes the strong partnerships with the RCMP and other agencies will continue under the new police chief. The RM is currently recruiting for the position.
“I’m very optimistic about the future for this agency,” said Chomyn. “The makeup of the board of police commissioners has changed to increase the number of people from the community. These are folks who are committed to assisting the chief and the officers.”
Chomyn said he believes the Corman Park Police Service provides a valuable function, and has strong praise for the front-line officers and administrative staff.
“The officers that are here are very committed to the RM,” he said. “They love working with Corman Park Police Service and they see it as a career. In the past I know it was kind of seen as a stepping stone for young recruits to go to police college, come back and work for a few years at Corman Park Police Service and then transfer to a larger agency like Saskatoon , Prince Albert or Regina.
“From a constable’s perspective, there are a lot of opportunities out there, including the new Saskatchewan Marshall’s Service. But I think the job here at CPPS is unique because it’s a mix of rural and urban policing. The officers work hard and they have that local knowledge that helps them solve problems quickly.”
Chomyn will replace Mitch Yuzdepski as SACP Executive-Director next month.
According to the SACP website, the organization’”provides a forum for police and law enforcement agencies to discuss, collaborate and further advance community safety in Saskatchewan.” Its membership includes municipal police services, the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies.
The SACP and similar organizations in other provinces are affiliated with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), providing a single voice to lobby the federal government on issues like bail reform, cyber crime, and equipment to allow police officers to do their job safely.
Chomyn said the SACP is currently encouraging the provincial government to boost funding for the Saskatchewan Police College to ensure training spaces are available municipal police service recruits.