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Deputy Chief Kalinski to take over as new police chief Jan. 1

November 19, 2014   ·   0 Comments

The New Year will bring some major changes to the Orangeville Police Service, as a new chief steps forward to take charge of the station.

On Friday, the Orangeville Police Services (OPS) board announced the appointment of Deputy Chief Wayne Kalinski as the new Chief of Police, beginning January 1, 2015.

“As the current Deputy Chief, Wayne Kalinski has demonstrated strong leadership and introduced new initiatives,” said Cynthia Rayburn, Chair of the Board. “The Board has full confidence in Deputy Chief Kalinski as he takes on his new role as Chief of Police for Orangeville.”

Deputy Chief Kalinski is a highly decorated officer. Prior to joining the OPS in June of 2011, he served with York Regional Police for 32 years, gaining experience in uniform patrol, criminal investigations, crime analysis, homicide, major crimes, intelligence, surveillance, training and education, and the duty inspector’s office.

He is a graduate of the prestigious F.B.I. Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and has served twice in two-year terms as an Intelligence Liaison Officer and as the Provincial Serial and Predator Crime Unit coordinator.

“I’m very proud to be able to serve the citizens of Orangeville in this capacity,” said Deputy Chief Kalinski. “I am truly blessed and honoured.”

While his new role doesn’t begin for just over a month, he already has big plans for his time as chief, including working with the community to provide the kind of police service they would like to see.

One of the first things he plans to do as chief is move forward with an official business plan, which is legislated by the government. The business plan, which will be for a three-year period, will include community consultation during its structuring.

“That means that we’re going to speak to the community, listen to their concerns, and make sure that we address them in our business plan,” said Deputy Chief Kalinski. “I’m open, I’m transparent, and I look forward to community engagement.”

He says this also means that Orangeville will see a much leaner expenditure, ensuring that money is being spent only in areas where it is needed.

“I’ve heard from the community that they don’t want us to spend money where we don’t need to spend money, and I’m cognizant of that,” he said. “Budget-wise, we are going to be a lot leaner; we are going to provide the same level of service without the high costs. I’m very conscious about spending money, and of the fact that we need to ensure that we spend our money wisely and not spend it without community consultation – hence the business plan.”

If he had to describe the type of chief he wants to be, “community-minded” would be it. He wants to show the community that he has respect for both them and his staff, and for them to see that he is community-oriented.

“I think the community wants to see me and I am going to be visible at community events, whether it’s the Santa Claus Parade, the Tree Lighting, or anything else the town has planned,” he said. “I will be visible, and I will be approachable. I like talking to people, so that part of the job will be very simple for me I’m very happy to engage people in discussion and conversation.”

Over the last two years, the Orangeville Police have become community partners with the Orangeville Food Bank and The Lighthouse soup kitchen, providing support and helping to raise food donations.

“I think our continued work with community organizations needs to expand,” he said. “I’m particularly fond of those community groups that do things to help better the community in any way. Whether it’s the Lions, the Optimists or any other organization in town, I want us to align ourselves with them and help promote the good things that they do.”

Moving forward, he also foresees that tension between the Police Services Board and the OPS will come to an end.

“I have a very good relationship with the Police Services Board,” he said. “It’s the PSB that I have to thank for having the confidence in me to be the next Chief of Police. For that, I am very grateful.”

This also leads into the openness and transparency that he hopes to be able to provide the community with. He added that much of what they do is legislated, and as a result sometimes the OPS has to do things the community may not understand.

“I want to be there to provide guidance to their questions at any time,” he said.

While he’s not chief yet, he says that his ‘door’ is already open to residents who may have questions or concerns that they would like to speak about.

“I know that it’s important that we get the community on side,” he said. “I think the community needs to be willing to give me a chance; they need to come and meet with me, they need to see me out in the community so that they can get to know me. I’m very approachable, and the community is welcome to reach out to me. If the community wants to see me somewhere or they want to reach out and come see me, I am open to that.”

Anyone interested in connecting with Deputy Chief Kalinski is invited to contact him by email at wkalinski@orangevillepolice.ca.

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