CORNWALL, Ontario – It was a look back on a long and productive career as the Cornwall community packed into the Best Western to honour the work of Police Chief Dan Parkinson.
Chief Parkinson became the head of the Cornwall Community Police Service (CCPS) 15 years ago in 2003.
Between the time Chief Parkinson came to Cornwall until the eve of his retirement on Nov. 15, 2018, one of his proudest accomplishments was the help he gave in establishing the local chapter of the Boys & Girls Club.
“I firmly believe that without Chief Parkinson advocating for it, we would not have the Boys & Girls Club in Cornwall today,” said Mayor Leslie O’Shaughnessy.
It was fitting therefore that Chief Parkinson’s retirement party at the Best Western was raising funds for the Cornwall Boys & Girls Club.
“I think that one of the greatest accomplishments is to be honoured by so many people,” said Chief Parkinson. “And it is great that honouring me will help support the Boys & Girls Club.”
Looking into the future for Cornwall, Chief Parkinson said that continued focus on young people was key.
“I can’t emphasize enough for this community to get behind the youth,” he said. “The legacy I want to leave behind is you can make a different if you work together and try.”
As for the future of policing, Parkinson said that he felt that a modern police force must be more vigilant than ever because public scrutiny is now at an all time high.
Chief Parkinson was born in Croydon, England and settled in Mississauga when he was 16. He worked his way up through the Peel Regional Police Force before coming to Cornwall. Parkinson said that his proudest achievement was bringing his wife Leslie with him.
During his retirement party, Chief Parkinson presented the Boys & Girls Club with a cheque for $22,000. The proceeds were raised through ticket sales for his party and through sponsorships.
Chief Parkinson will officially hand over the reigns of the CCPS Friday, Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Nav Centre in a Change of Command ceremony. Leadership of the CCPS will pass to long time Deputy Chief and Chief-designate Danny Aikman. Aikman will be replaced as Deputy Chief by CCPS Insp. Shawna Spowart.
