Chief Daniel J. Kinsella, M.O.M.
Serving as Chief of Police since July 1, 2019, Chief Dan Kinsella leads Halifax Regional Police, Atlantic Canada’s largest municipal police service.
Chief Kinsella has 33 years of experience in policing and management, and, served as Deputy Chief with Hamilton Police Service (HPS) prior to his current role as Chief. Working with national and provincial law enforcement partners, Chief Kinsella acted as HPS’ command lead for multi-jurisdictional investigations and major case management, including, homicide, provincial internet child exploitation, human trafficking, fraud, drug and weapons investigations and traditional organized crime investigations.
Chief Kinsella is a member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the FBI National Academy (FBINA). He serves on the Canadian Police College Advisory Board and is Past President of the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA) New York State/Eastern Canada Chapter Board. He is also a life member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP).
Committed to the philosophy and concept of community-based policing, Chief Kinsella recognizes that strong, sustained community partnerships are integral to effective crime prevention for a healthy and safe community. As part of that, he believes in maintaining a visible presence in the community and actively supporting local and city-wide events. Throughout his career, he has supported activities that help bridge relationships; celebrate and honour community builders; promote a shared dialogue, good citizenship, fairness and respect for each other.
His contributions to community initiatives include his advocacy, volunteerism and service as President of the John Howard Society Board of Directors, representing Hamilton, Burlington and area, as well as, Chair and member of the Banyan Community Services Board of Directors. Chief Kinsella was a member of the Aboriginal Committee and the Women’s Services Advisory Committee and volunteered as Director with HPS “Project Concern”- an in-house community outreach program.
In September 2018, Chief Kinsella was part of a cycling ride team of 170 law enforcement and police officers from across Canada who participated in the Canadian Police Memorial Ride to Remember 700 km ride from the Ontario Police College in Aylmer to the National Police & Peace Officers' Memorial in Ottawa.
Chief Kinsella was invested as a member of the Governor General’s Order of Merit of the Police Forces for distinguished policing, community and public service. In recognition of his commitment to policing and the community, he has received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. As a member of the Pan Am Games Team, he received the Hamilton City Manager's Award for Hamilton Public Service Excellence.
Chief Kinsella is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Rotman School of Business. He holds a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from American Military University and a Bachelor of Arts in Labour Studies from McMaster University.
Follow Chief Kinsella on Twitter.
Deputy Chief Don MacLean
Deputy Chief Don MacLean began his policing career in 1993 and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Operations, a position he has held since April 2020. He oversees both the patrol and criminal investigation divisions.
Prior to serving as Deputy Chief, he was the Superintendent of the Patrol Division. He also served as the first Diversity Officer for Halifax Regional Police from 2004-2006 and went on to become the Executive Officer to the Chief and later the Human Resources Officer.
A lifelong resident of Halifax, Deputy Chief MacLean serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for St. John Ambulance NS/PEI Council, is an active member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police as well as on the Board of Directors for Phoenix Youth. He’s also a member of the Board of Governors for the University of Kings College and has previously received an appointment as an Honorary Aide-De-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia.
He attended the University of King’s College and has continued his education through Saint Mary’s University Executive and Professional Development, Dalhousie College of Continuing Education, Canadian Police College and the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
Deputy Chief Reid McCoombs
Deputy Chief Reid McCoombs began his policing career in 1989 and currently oversees the Support function that includes Administration, Finance, HR & Training and Information Technology. Prior to that, he served as the Superintendent of Administration.
In his career lasting over three decades, Deputy Chief McCoombs served in frontline and supervisory capacities in patrol, criminal investigations, and administration, as well in his role as Inspector, he was the officer-in charge of Human Resources and Training. He worked on a secondment with the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) and was a member of the Emergency Response Team, commanded the Public Safety Unit and remains an active Critical Incident Commander.
Deputy Chief McCoombs is a member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) Education, Training and Professional Development committees. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resource Management) from Saint Mary’s University along with numerous courses from Dalhousie University and the Canadian Police College.
Superintendent Dean Simmonds
Superintendent Dean Simmonds began his law enforcement career in 1997 and currently serves as the officer-in-charge of Administration. In this role he oversees various administration functions including training, wellness and facilities.
Before joining Halifax Regional Police, he was a community constable with the RCMP. He joined HRP in 2001 and was named Cadet of the Year in his first year of service with HRP. In 2007, he was honoured as Police Officer of the Year. Prior to his role as Superintendent, Support, he worked in many operational and investigative units including guns and gangs, special enforcement and community response and crime prevention. He also served as the Diversity Equity Officer between 2008 and 2012.
Superintendent Simmonds has continued to expand his professional development through programs from Dalhousie University, Hensen College and the Simon Wiesethal Center. He continues to play a leadership role in developing and implementing various workshops and training programs with a focus on promoting diversity, workplace equity, human rights and leadership.
He has served as a member of HRP Strategic Planning Team, HRP/RCMP Integrated Cultural Diversity Committee and Race Relation Advisory Committee in the past. He is also a board member of Basketball Nova Scotia. He continues to remain a dedicated community member both personally and professionally and is active in the community, providing mentorship programs and community lead initiatives focusing on diversity and leadership.
Superintendent Andrew Matthews
Superintendent Andrew Matthews joined Halifax Regional Police in 1999 and currently serves as the Superintendent, Criminal Investigation Division, a position he has held since April 2020. He oversees all investigative units – general investigations, homicide and cold case, sexual assault, drugs, guns and gangs, missing persons – as well as various support units, including forensic identification, digital forensics, criminal intelligence and crime analysis.
Superintendent Matthews previously served as the Information Management Officer and held various operational positions in the patrol and the criminal investigation divisions where he supervised sexualized violence investigations and went on to become a Watch Commander. He was a member of the Public Safety Unit for 10 years and has coordinated the Critical Incident Command program for Halifax Regional Police.
He has been a member of several committees and associations, most notably the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada. He has a Certificate in Police Service Delivery from Dalhousie University and has also completed many courses through the Canadian Police College.
Superintendent Derrick Boyd
Superintendent Derrick Boyd started his career with Halifax Regional Police in 1998 and currently serves as the Superintendent, Patrol Division, a position he has held since December 2021. He oversees all uniformed operations, including specialized teams such as emergency response, crowd control, community policing as well as the mounted, traffic, marine and the aviation security units.
His past roles have included overseeing the records section, acting Watch Commander, patrol supervisor and overseeing investigative teams in the Integrated General Investigation Section and Specialized Investigation Section.
Superintendent Boyd has led major files and led operational planning for a number of high-profile events including the Air Canada crash and major crime investigations. He has a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University.
Superintendent Greg Mason
Superintendent Greg Mason began his career in policing in 1990 and currently serves as the Superintendent of Support. He oversees information management and support operations including traffic, prisoner care and ports/aviation security.
He has also previously served in a range of positions with general investigations, homicide, forensics, VICE, internet child exploitation and investigative support operations. He also served as officer-in-charge of Professional Standards Division and as Bureau Director with the Criminal Intelligence Service of Nova Scotia (CNISNS). In 2015, he took on the role of Watch Commander. He is a former member and coordinator of Halifax Regional Police’s Disposal Unit and is currently a Critical Incident Commander.
Superintendent Mason has volunteered for several years for local amateur sports including coaching minor hockey along with ringette and serving in board of director roles with amateur sporting organizations. He holds two certificates from Dalhousie University and several courses from the Canadian Police College.
Neera Ritcey
Neera Ritcey joined Halifax Regional Police in 2017, and currently serves as the Director for HRP’s Corporate Affairs Division. In this role, Neera provides integrated leadership for HRP’s various strategic organizational functions, including, corporate communications, public information and education, policy development, research and planning while providing support for key organizational initiatives aligned with HRP’s 10-year strategic plan.
With a professional career in a variety of roles in public, private and non-profit sectors, Neera brings extensive experience and history of working with diverse audiences in complex, multi-jurisdictional regulatory and policy environments. Before joining HRP, she held progressive roles in the corporate sector with Nova Scotia Power and Emera Inc. (TSX:EMA) in Halifax, where she held positions encompassing corporate communications, public engagement as well as investor relations functions. Prior to that, she spent nearly seven years working with the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in a variety of roles.
Neera currently volunteers her time as a member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) Committee on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; as a member of CACP’s National Strategic Communications Working Group, and, as an Advisory Board Member for the Salvation Army - Maritime Division. Neera holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Relations (with Honours) from Humber College in Toronto. She has completed the CIRI/Ivey Investor Relations Certification Program from the Ivey Business School - University of Western Ontario. Neera holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts from Panjab University in India.
Inspector Ron Legere
Inspector Ron Legere started his policing career in 1989 as a cadet with Metropolitan Toronto Police. In 1994 he returned to Nova Scotia as a member of the Dartmouth Police Service, which amalgamated with Halifax Regional Police in 1996. He currently serves as the officer-in-charge of the Professional Standards Division.
Inspector Legere has served in a number of roles in both patrol and criminal investigations division, as a member of the Quick Response Unit, General Investigations Section, Major Crime, Sexual Assault Investigation Team (SAIT) and the Criminal Intelligence/Technical Surveillance Units where he participated and led many operations. In addition to these roles, he was a member and later Commander of the Public Safety Unit. During his career he has also had several multi-year operational secondments, such as the RCMP Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit (IPOC), the Nova Scotia Department of Justice Internal Investigations Unit (IIU) and the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT). He has served as a Watch Commander in the past and most recently served as the Staff Sergeant in the Professional Standards Division.
Inspector Legere has completed several courses through the Canadian Police College, along with a Criminology Certificate from St. Mary’s University and a Certificate in Police Leadership from Dalhousie University.
Inspector Stephanie Carlisle
Inspector Stephanie Carlisle began her policing career in 1999 and currently provides divisional leadership, as second in command, to the Administration Division, a position she has held since January 2020. In this role she oversees various administration functions including training, wellness and facilities.
Prior to her current role, she worked as both an officer and supervisor for the patrol and criminal investigation divisions. She served as a community officer, school response officer, member of the recruitment and diversity teams, Public Safety Unit, the first female member of the Traffic Unit and served as Watch Commander. While in the Criminal Investigation Division, she was an investigator and supervisor with the Sexual Assault Investigative Team (SAIT). She was a member of the Child Youth Advocacy Centre steering committee and an instructor of the Trauma Informed Response to Sexualized Violence course.
Inspector Carlisle has a Bachelor of Recreation Administration from Dalhousie University.
Inspector David Boon
Inspector David Boon joined Halifax Regional Police in 1995 and is currently the Central Divisional Commander, a position he has held since January 2020. He is responsible for the day-to-day police operations for Halifax.
Prior to joining HRP, he served four years with the Kentville Police Service. Throughout his career, he has been assigned to various positions in the patrol and criminal investigation divisions, including Emergency Response Team (ERT), General Investigation Section, Sexual Assault Investigative Team (SAIT) and Homicide. He was awarded Investigator of the Year in both 2006 and 2010. He was selected as NCO in charge of the Aviation Security Unity and took over armed response to pre-board alarms at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. He was assigned to Watch Commander and is also a Critical Incident Commander.
Inspector Jeff Clarke
Inspector Jeff Clarke began his policing career in 1986 after graduating from the Atlantic Police Academy. He is currently the Central Divisional Commander, a position he was assigned since June 2021. He is responsible for the day-to-day police operations for Halifax.
Previous to this, Inspector Clarke has served as the West Divisional Commander and Watch Commander. Throughout his career, he served in a variety of frontline and supervisory capacities. These roles included assignments to various positions in the patrol and criminal investigation divisions, including Emergency Response Team (ERT), General Investigation Section, Quick Response Unit, Drug Unit, Joint Forces Drug Unit, Cold Case Unit, High-Risk Enforcement Apprehension Unit (HEAT) and Major Crime Unit where he investigated sexual assaults and homicides.
Inspector Clarke volunteered for several local amateur sports throughout the years including coaching minor soccer, baseball, hockey and football. In 2009 he was awarded the Promotion of Safe Communities Directors Award from the Halifax Regional Municipality. He has a Bachelor of Science in Recreation from Dalhousie University and several policing and leadership courses from Canadian Police College, Atlantic Police Academy and Dalhousie University (Henson College).
Inspector Carolyn Nichols
Inspector Carolyn Nichols began her law enforcement career in 1999 and currently serves as the Support Divisional Commander, a position she has held since January 2020. She is responsible for the operations of several operational units including Prisoner Care Facility, Traffic, Community Relations and Crime Prevention, Ports and the Aviation Security Unit.
She previously worked as an officer and supervisor in the Patrol Division where she was the sergeant-in-charge of the Traffic Unit and served as Watch Commander. She was also seconded to Criminal Intelligence Service Nova Scotia where she was a Criminal Intelligence Analyst. She was then transferred to the Criminal Investigation Division where she worked as a Crime Analyst. She became the first woman to join the Integrated Underwater Recovery Team.
Inspector Nichols completed numerous professional courses with the Canadian Police College and Dalhousie University, where she completed the Certificate in Police Leadership. She has also been involved in the mentoring and leadership training of women as an active member of the Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement (AWLE) and served as the AWLE president from 2014-2019.
Inspector Greg Robertson
Inspector Robertson started his career with Halifax Regional Police in 1998 and currently serves as the Information Management Officer, a position he has held since April 2020.
In his current role he oversees Integrated Emergency Services, courts, records and traffic support services. Prior to joining HRP, he worked with Nova Scotia Department of Justice Correctional Services division for six years. Inspector Robertson is experienced in many aspects of policing including roles in the criminal investigation division, professional standards office and has served as a Watch Commander. Inspector Robertson regularly collaborates with partner agencies in his role as lead Incident Commander for Ground Search and Rescue and has represented HRP at several ICS exercises.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary’s University, Post-Bachelor Criminal Justice courses from Simon Fraser University, Business Administration courses from Mount Saint Vincent University and Police Leadership courses from Dalhousie University.
Inspector Christina Martin
Inspector Christina Martin joined Halifax Regional Police in 1999. She currently oversees a number of specialized function within the Support Division, a role she took on in December 2021.
Previous to that, Inspector Martin served as the West Divisional Commander and Watch Commander in the Patrol Division. Throughout her career, Insp. Martin served in various positions in the patrol and criminal investigation divisions, including being a member of the Drug Unit, Major Crime Unit, Sexual Assault Investigation Team and Crisis Negotiation Team.
In 2019 she was awarded an Exemplary Service Award for 20 years of exemplary service to policing. From 2003 to 2018 she served as a member of the Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement (AWLE). Inspector Martin has a Bachelor of Arts from Mount Saint Vincent University, a certificate in Criminology from Saint Mary’s University, a certificate in Police Leadership – Administration from Dalhousie University, and has completed several policing and leadership continuous education courses.