Troy Cooper to retire after five years as Saskatoon police chief

Troy Cooper, chief of the Saskatoon Police Service, announced his retirement Thursday after almost six years as the city’s top cop.

The chief, who assumed the role on Feb. 28, 2018, was expected to stay with the force until the end of 2025, making his announcement a bit of a surprise for the city. His last day will be Jan. 16, 2024.

Cooper, 58, suffered a heart attack on April 17, which led to his hospitalization, but he was back at work within a month.

“I’m healthy, I don’t want to scare anybody. I’m absolutely healthy – receiving great treatment – but just as I recover, and it’s going to take a while to come back to the same level of energy I once had,” he said.

Saying it’s been an honour to serve as chief, Cooper added that his time in public life is probably over.

“Once I recover and I’m ready to contribute again, there might be something related to public safety that I would consider, but for now, I don’t have any plans other than grandchildren and rest,” he said.

Chief Troy Cooper during his retirement announcement Thursday. He’ll finish his tenure as chief in January. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)

Originally from Big River, Cooper came to Saskatoon after 31 years with the Prince Albert Police Service, during which time he worked his way up to the top job in P.A.

Cooper, the first Métis police chief in Saskatoon, helped add new technology to the police force, including the addition of body-worn cameras.

The chief has also been vocal about the social disorder and high volume of police calls caused by addictions and mental health issues, and the strain the volume of calls puts on the police force.

“I am so grateful to Chief Cooper for all of the years he has given to our Service and our community,” Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark said in a statement.

“I have learned a lot from him as a leader. Chief Cooper has been able to do tremendous work in strengthening and modernizing the Saskatoon Police Service while also deepening community relationships in meaningful ways. These attributes have been instrumental through many challenging situations in these turbulent times.”

Jo Custead, chair of the city’s Board of Police Commissioners, said at this point there has not been an interim police chief chosen. That process will take about a month.

“We know that chief Cooper’s shoes will be hard to fill,” she said.

Details on recruiting a new, permanent police chief will also be decided in the coming weeks.

Cooper said he believes he’s leaving the service in “incredible hands,” with many experienced leaders in place.

“There certainly are some very seasoned and experienced staff,” the outgoing chief said. “We have an acting deputy chief that has 38 years of service. We have a deputy chief with 26 years of service. Our three superintendents all have an average of 25 years of service.”

Meanwhile, the Regina Police Service is also searching for a new chief, meaning that after Cooper’s retirement takes effect, neither of the two largest cities in Saskatchewan will have a permanent police chief in place. Dean Rae is currently serving as interim chief in Regina.

Prince Albert was also without a permanent police chief until Thursday afternoon, when former Saskatoon officer Patrick Nogier was announced as that city’s new full-time chief.

–With files from 650 CKOM’s Lara Fominoff.