York Regional Service Board Announces Retirement of Chief Jim MacSween
The York Regional Police Service Board announced today that, following a six-year tenure as chief of police, Jim MacSween will retire on June 26, 2026.
Chief MacSween, who has already played an integral role in succession planning for the Executive Leadership Team at York Regional Police, will continue to support the Board in the process to appoint its next chief.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to extend our sincere congratulations to Chief MacSween on his well-earned retirement after dedicating 37 years to policing, including the past six as chief of police,” said Board Chair Steve Pellegrini. “Chief MacSween has served our community with integrity, professionalism and a steadfast commitment to public safety.”
“Under his leadership, our service has continued to evolve—strengthening community trust, improving support for our members, and modernizing how we respond to the changing needs of the people we serve,” Board Chair Pellegrini said. “We are deeply grateful for the positive impact he has made across our organization and wish Chief MacSween and his family health, happiness and every success in the next chapter.”
Chief MacSween assumed the role of Chief of Police May 1, 2020, after an impressive career that saw him fill roles in the Criminal Investigations, Community Services and Training and Education Bureaus, as well as the Hold-Up Unit. In leadership roles, he served in command of two police districts, Operational Command, and eventually as deputy chief overseeing the Support Branch. During his time as chief, MacSween served as president of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, chair of the Canadian Police Knowledge Network and the St. John Ambulance Board of Directors, and as a board member for Special Olympics Ontario.
Chief MacSween has been a staunch advocate for the work of frontline members in the police service. He championed a “people first” culture and new leadership development model that supported members in their personal and professional lives, while empowering them to perform at their best in service of the community.
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, he drove the organization to meet complex operational demands, all while ensuring the safety and security of York Region’s communities and the health and well-being of more than 2,000 staff. Chief MacSween was also a builder, forging invaluable relationships with partners and advocacy groups, while leading York Regional Police to raise nearly $4 million for charities of choice, including Victim Services of York Region, York Region Centre for Community Safety, and Special Olympics Ontario.
Under his leadership, the organization was transformed, adopting a new structure to meet the challenges of a rapidly growing region and an increasingly complex policing environment.
“It has been the greatest honour of my career to lead the dedicated members of this service, who put the professionalism, compassion and commitment to public safety into action every day,” said Chief MacSween. “I would like to thank the Police Service Board, our members, our partners and our communities for the trust and confidence you have placed in me over the past six years, and for my entire career.”
“Being privileged to work alongside and lead thousands of exceptional people, I am retiring with immense gratitude and pride,” Chief MacSween continued. “But I am still looking forward, and my commitment over the coming months is simple: Supporting a disciplined and seamless transition, so the organization’s focus stays exactly where it belongs—on building and protecting safer communities well into the future.”
Beginning immediately, members of the Police Service Board will now embark on a comprehensive selection process to identify and appoint its next Chief of Police. The Board will provide updates on these processes to members of the public as they become available.
Contact:
Jaclyn Kogan, Board Manager, The Regional Municipality of York Police Service Board
psb@yrp.ca 1-866-876-5423 ext. 3000
Alternative formats or communication supports are available upon request.