After 16 years as Central Saanich’s top cop, Police Chief Paul Hames has announced he’s retiring.
Hames will leave the department Sept. 3, the same day he started his policing career with the RCMP 41 years ago.
“I’m 59 but I’ll be 60 when I go out the door,” Hames said.
Hames said spending two-thirds of his life in policing has been challenging and rewarding as he adapted to changes in technology and community policing.
Hames said when he took the chief’s position in 1999, he thought he’d serve a few years and move on, but the sense of community and local focus convinced him to stay on longer.
Hames said one of his priorities was partnering with other police departments on specialized integrated services such as dispatching, major crime and road safety. “It fit really well for our members to go out and do these secondments and come back with their expertise,” he said.
The discussion in Greater Victoria around police amalgamation was raging back in 1999 when Hames became chief, and the debate continues. But Hames said the current model of independent police departments that partner through integrated units seems to be more effective.
Hames received the Order of Merit of the Police Forces in 2013, which recognizes exceptional long-term service.
He said he and his wife Barb are looking forward to more travelling and spending time with their grandchildren — four, with a fifth on the way.
The Central Saanich police board will announce its plans to find a replacement at the next police board meeting March 12.
Deputy police chief Les Sylven is among those being considered for the job.
