Supt. Bill McKinnon
Image Credit: Contributed
March 21, 2013 - 8:10 AM
By Marshall Jones
Kelowna RCMP have confirmed that Supt. Bill McKinnon is retiring from service after 38 years with the RCMP.
McKinnon told his officers yesterday that he was leaving his post at the end of the month. He took over the top position in May, 2004 from then-Supt. Don Harrison. He was in charge during a drug crisis that plagued the city's streets from 2004 to 2006 and took a public role, speaking at justice forums demanded by the public. He brought in foot and bike patrols and other innovations to clean up the streets.
He's been outspoken against gangs, including the Hell's Angels, by leading a public relations campaign. In 2005, he released a list of Kelowna property and businesses owned by members of the gang.
He's also a former president of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police.
He's the third chief to retire this spring in the Thompson-Okanagan area. Supt. Yves Lacasse has retired from his post as chief of police of the Kamloops RCMP detachment and Insp. Brad Haugli is moving on from his position leading the Penticton RCMP.
"I can honestly say the highlight of my career was being appointed as the Detachment Commander of Kelowna Detachment in May 2004," McKinnon said in a release.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013