When Timmins Police Service’s Deputy Chief Des Walsh retires next year, there’s a succession plan in place.
At the Timmins Police Services Board meeting today, it was announced Insp. Henry DaCosta is the Deputy Chief designate, with Staff Sgt. Darren Dinel being promoted to Inspector. Both promotions take effect June 1, 2018.
“Henry has a vast array of experience in relation to policing. He supervised and worked in traffic, community policing, criminal and drug investigations, E-crimes and major case management,” said Timmins Police Chief John Gauthier.
Walsh tendered his retirement notice more than six months ago. Gauthier said the board interviewed three candidates for the Deputy Chief position.
Having a successor in place, Gauthier said DaCosta will be able to shadow Walsh to learn the ins and outs of the position.
DaCosta’s policing career began in Kenora in 1995 and he started with the Timmins Police in 1999.
Since then, Gauthier said DaCosta was promoted to Traffic Sergeant in 2004, Staff Sergeant in 2009 and this year he became the Inspector of Field Operations.
With DaCosta moving up, it left a hole at the Inspector level.
A competition was held for that position, with Dinel, who started with Timmins Police in 1999, being successful.
At TPS, Gauthier said Dinel has worked with the drug enforcement unit, is a breathalyzer technician, coach officer, crisis negotiator, and is a member of the Timmins Police Pipes and Drums.
“He’s also currently designated to teach some of our in-house courses including search warrant courses, and that’s all accredited through the Ontario Police College,” Gauthier said.
With Dinel’s change of rank, it will create a ripple effect through the levels. Gauthier said that competitions for those positions will probably be held in the late part of next spring.
