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South Simcoe's deputy police chief hanging up her badge after 40 years

Robin McElary-Downer joined the South Simcoe Police Service in May 2017 as the department's first female deputy chief
2018-06-22 Lt Gov 13 RB
South Simcoe Deputy Police Chief Robin McElary-Downer is shown in a file photo during a local visit from Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell. McElary-Downer has announced her retirement at the end of this year. Raymond Bowe/BarrieToday

NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE
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After nearly 40 years in policing, Deputy Chief Robin McElary-Downer will be retiring at the end of 2020. Deputy McElary-Downer joined South Simcoe Police Service (SSPS) on May 1, 2017, with the distinction of being our service's first female Deputy Chief.

Deputy McElary-Downer started her career in policing with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) on March 15, 1981.

While at the OPP, Deputy McElary-Downer served the province in several capacities, including field operations, investigations and corporate sectors.

In 2011, she was appointed to the rank of Superintendent, in the position of Chief Adjudicator, her most recent role prior to joining SSPS.  
 
In addition to her roles with the OPP and SSPS, Deputy McElary-Downer has also served at the pleasure of Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor and is the Deputy Chief Aide de Camp, a position she has held since 2002.
 
During her policing career, Deputy McElary-Downer has received the following recognitions:  
· Recipient of the Police Exemplary 20-year medal
· Police Exemplary 30-year pin
· Order of Merit of the Police Forces medal
· Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal
· Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal
 
Deputy McElary-Downer offered the following statement: “I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve the people of Ontario at the provincial level for 36 years followed by my tenure at the municipal level.  I always hoped to police in my home community and am grateful to have ended my career with SSPS, serving the great people of Bradford and Innisfil.  It has been my profound honour working alongside the women and men of South Simcoe Police Service making this one of the safest communities in Canada.  How incredibly lucky I have been for the last 39 plus years.“
 
The Police Services Board will be commencing a hiring process shortly with details to follow.

The job posting will be on the SSPS website soon.

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