CORNWALL, Ontario – The Cornwall Community Police Service (CCPS) officially welcomed a new Chief of Police, Danny Aikman, and Deputy Chief of Police, Shawna Spowart, on Friday, Nov. 16 at Nav Canada.
At around 11 a.m., dignitaries were piped into the Change of Command and Change of Colour ceremony. Following our National Anthem, speeches were made by Mayor Leslie O’Shaughnessy, Police Board Chair Andre Rivette, retiring Chief Daniel Parkinson and other notable attendees.
Retiring Chief Parkinson spoke briefly about his gratitude towards his colleagues and reflected on the last 15 years serving in our community. Parkinson thanked the Board for allowing him to be a part of the selection process for the new Chief and Deputy Chief, who he believes are well trained to replace him.
“I know that Shawna and Danny will be a very effective team together,” said Parkinson.
Chief Aikman is the seventh Chief of Police in Cornwall since amalgamation in 1957. Aikman said that the Viscount Alexander children’s choir was set to sing during the event but was unfortunately unable to due to bus cancellations.
Aikman said he was feeling an immense sense of gratitude as he has so many people to thank for helping him throughout his career to achieve his many accomplishments. He became emotional thanking his family and encouraged attendees to sing his granddaughter, Ella, Happy Birthday as she will turn 4-years-old on November 17.
Looking forward, Chief Aikman’s first tasks as new Chief will include developing a Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan with the new City Council, and implementing a CCPS Employee Wellness Plan to keep employees healthy, resilient and safe in the workplace and their daily lives. Aikman also plans to continue programs introduced by retiring Chief Parkinson.
“We will refine our efforts towards crime prevention through employing a system (of) evidence based policing, applying the concepts of analytics to police activity,” said Aikman.
New Deputy Chief Shawna Spowart thanked her family and colleagues for their support throughout her career. Spowart moved to Cornwall when she was only 21-years-old and didn’t know anyone in the city. She was hired, as Aikman and staff were impressed with her maturity and accomplishments. Since then, she has moved through various ranks to become the first female, Deputy Chief for our city.
“I am so proud to be a serving member of this police force,” said Spowart, who commended her colleagues for their hard work. Spowart said that not only do officers act as social workers and addiction councilors, they are always a shoulder to cry on.
Both Aikman and Spowart took an Oath during the Changing of Command.
Father MacDonald and Abdollah Vakily spoke before the Changing of Colour ceremony. The ceremony commemorated previous service and endorsed looking forward to change.
