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(Niagara Region, ON) – Jen Lawson, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Services Board, announced today that Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch and Deputy Chief Brett Flynn have formally advised the Board of their intention to retire from the Niagara Regional Police Service, effective February 1, 2024. 

From the Board’s perspective, the early notification will ensure their involvement in the succession planning of executive leadership for the continuity of police operations and input into critical competencies based on organizational strengths and needs of the Service and the Board’s strategic priorities. 

Chief of Police Bryan MacCulloch 

Chief of Police Bryan MacCulloch has dedicated over 39 years to the policing profession.  He was first appointed Chief of Police on September 28, 2017, and will have been in that position for over six years when he retires on February 1, 2024. 

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Chief MacCulloch for his dedication and service to the Niagara Region community,” said Chair Lawson. “His leadership, vision, and passion for policing have been essential for the growth of the Niagara Regional Police Service, as well as countless community organizations and aspiring leaders. We congratulate him on a legacy of excellence and wish him well in his retirement.” 

Chief MacCulloch began his policing career with the Niagara Regional Police Service in 1984, working first as a Constable in St. Catharines and rising up through the ranks.  Prior to becoming Chief of Police, he served for over four years as the Deputy Chief of Operational Services, where he provided oversight and leadership to more than 650 frontline Uniform Officers and Detectives assigned to District Operations, and Emergency and Investigative Services. Throughout his diverse policing career, Chief MacCulloch has held a variety of operational and senior leadership positions within the Niagara Regional Police Service, including District Operations, Tactical Unit, Marine Unit, Fraud Unit, Detective Services, Homicide Unit, Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief, Court Services and Prisoner Management, Professional Standards Unit, and Operational Support Services. 

During his tenure as Chief of Police, Chief MacCulloch has volunteered his time with national and provincial policing organizations, as well as several local community groups. He is an active member of the International, Canadian, and Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). He has served on a variety of OACP Committees and is currently a member of the Intelligence and Organized Crime Committee, the OACP Representative to the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario Executive Governing Body, as well as the Canadian Integrated Response to Organized Crime Committee. 

Chief MacCulloch is passionate about giving back to his community, presently serving as a member of the United Way Niagara Board of Directors and was the 2021 Campaign Chair. Chief MacCulloch is a former Board Member and past Chair of Victim Services Niagara, former Member of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of North and West Niagara, former Executive Member of the Welland Minor Hockey Association Board of Directors, and a long-time minor hockey and soccer coach. 

Chief MacCulloch is a recipient of the Governor General of Canada's Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal and Bar for dedicating 30 years of distinguished service to our community and the policing profession.  In October 2019, he was invested as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette. 

Chief MacCulloch stated, “It’s truly been an honour to serve as the 9th Chief of Police in the history of the Niagara Regional Police Service, and I thank the Police Services Board for having the trust and confidence in me to lead the men and women of this great police service. Throughout my tenure as Chief, I have witnessed firsthand the compassion, empathy, and the selfless dedication of our members, while they served and protected our community through some of the most unprecedented and challenging times in our history.  I am extremely grateful for the many friends, colleagues and mentors that have guided and supported my career throughout the years. While not an easy decision, I leave this incredible organization confident in the leadership, professionalism, and the unwavering commitment of our members to continue to provide the highest quality of policing to the citizens of Niagara, while continuing to meet the growing needs of our community.” 

Deputy Chief of Police Brett Flynn 

Deputy Chief Brett Flynn has devoted over 33 years of distinguished service to the Niagara Regional Police Service.  He was appointed Deputy Chief of Police on September 28, 2017 and will have served in that rank for over six years when he retires on February 1, 2024. 

“On behalf of the Niagara Police Services Board, I would like to thank Deputy Chief Flynn for his dedication to the Niagara Regional Police Service and the residents of Niagara Region,” said Chair Lawson. “He is an extraordinarily devoted and skilled leader within our organization, and he is recognized for his tremendous operational expertise and experience, and his lifelong commitment to community policing.” 

Deputy Chief Flynn currently leads the Operational Services functions of the Niagara Regional Police Service.  In that role, he is responsible for all frontline policing, and oversees District Operations – Central, Western and Eastern Regions, and Emergency and Investigative Services.  This includes Canine, Marine, Explosives Disposal, Crisis Negotiations, Traffic Management and Road Safety, Major Crime, Special Investigative Services, and Special Victims.  

Deputy Chief Flynn has acquired an extensive variety of professional experiences, including senior management positions as the Superintendent of District Operations, overseeing frontline policing across the Region, and Superintendent of Emergency Services and Investigative Support Services, leading the members of centralized investigative and emergency response units.  He has held a variety of operational and administrative positions including Uniform Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Break and Enter, Street Crime, Morality, the Homicide Unit, District Command and Professional Development.  

During his tenure, Deputy Chief Flynn has volunteered his time with provincial policing organizations as well as several local community groups.  He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Victim Services Niagara as well as Past Chair of Contact Niagara. Deputy Chief Flynn is a member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) and has served as a member of both the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee as well as the OACP Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He is also a Past Chair of the Ontario Homicide Investigators Association. 

Deputy Chief Flynn has received numerous awards for his career contributions, including the Governor General of Canada's Peace Officer Exemplary Service Medal for distinguished service to our community and the prestigious Order of Merit of the Police Forces. 

Deputy Chief Flynn stated, “I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have been part of my journey in policing. The memories, friendships, and accomplishments will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I will carry the lessons learned and the cherished moments with me as I embark on this new phase of life. To the civilian and sworn members of this Police Service who serve our community, please know that you are my heroes, and I am so proud of the work you do every day. Please continue to look out for one another in your continuous efforts to keep Niagara safe.” 

Chair Lawson said, “The Police Services Board will determine the processes it will follow to recruit a new Chief of Police and Deputy Chief over the next several weeks.  It is anticipated that the Board will embark on a search for our new Chief and Deputy in the coming months.” 

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The Niagara Regional Police Service was founded in 1971, and currently has a complement of 1121 members.  It is the oldest regional police service in Ontario and patrols one of the largest geographical regions.  The Niagara Regional Police Service provides policing and public safety to 12 municipalities, totaling some 450,000 residents and an estimated 12,000,000 visitors annually.  

For further information contact: 

Deb Reid, Executive Director   
Niagara Police Services Board
(905) 688-4111 Extension 1025170
Email: deb.reid@niagarapolice.ca