A changing of the guard is coming at the Timmins Police next year.

The Timmins Police Services Board have decided to promote Inspector Henry DaCosta to the role of Deputy Chief as of June 1st, 2018.

This is to fill in the role being left by Des Walsh, who will be retiring as of May 31st.

Not one for fanfare, Walsh will have served over 35 years with the force when he rides into the sunset.

Chief John Gauthier says there will be a mentoring process for DaCosta, so he is up to speed with all of the duties associated with being a Deputy Chief.

DaCosta began his career in 1995 with the Kenora Police Department, and moved over to the Timmins Police in 1999.

Since then, DaCosta has been moving up the ranks steadily and has been Inspector of Field Operations since January. He’s also served on the Steering Committee for things like Stars and Thunder, Community Mobilization Timmins and Hometown Hockey.

Gauthier says there is a ripple effect that comes with promoting from within.

Filling DaCosta’s role will be Staff Sargent Darren Dinel.

Dinel, like DaCosta, started with the Timmins Police in 1999. In his time, Dinel has been promoted a few times, more prominently going from uniform to the Drug Enforcement Unit and back a couple times.

Gauthier says to replace Dinel, a competition for the role will take place in the new year.

Filed under: Local News