NEW DEPUTY IN TOWN
WOODS NAMED LPS DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE
Scott Woods is a 20-year veteran of the Lethbridge Police Service —
The first day of a new job can be a little unnerving, especially when it’s as the Chief of Police’s right hand man. But after 21 years of exemplary service with the Lethbridge Police Service, Chief Rob Davis is convinced Scott Woods is the right man for the job.
Woods has been promoted as the new Deputy Chief of Police, effective Wednesday.
“It’s an extreme honour,” said Woods. “I feel very privileged and extremely humbled that Chief Davis would have the confidence and the trust in me to take on this position.”
Woods looks forward to working alongside Davis and forming strong partnerships with the executive of the police service.
The deputy chief position has been vacant since Colin Catonio retired last May. Davis said it’s a stringent process to find the right person to fill the spot. When it came to decision time, Woods was the best candidate for the job.
Woods has provided “tremendous leadership” while overseeing serious crimes in the Criminal Investigations section — which covered six homicides in 2015 and five in 2016, said Davis.
“And throughout all of that he continued to mentor and develop his people. He’s a completely selfless individual. He epitomizes the values of the police service we want to see in a position like this.”
Woods joined the police service in 1997 after completing the Criminal Justice program at Mount Royal University. Over the years he rose through the ranks and prior to his promotion served as the staff sergeant in charge of the Criminal Investigation Section. Woods has also served in patrols, as a K9 officer, and in the Domestic Crimes Unit and Violent Crimes Unit.
“It’s all been great in different ways,” he said. “When you first start in this career you’re gung ho as a uniformed officer, then you’re able to transition.”
Some of his finest moments were as a K9 officer, he said, when he worked with Abba, the first and only female police dog the service has ever had. Memories of working his way up from investigator to staff sergeant of the Criminal Investigation section are also near and dear to him.
“I’m very fortunate. I’ve had a great career,” said Woods. “I’ve been very lucky to have been surrounded by a lot of good people who have influenced me along the way.
“So I’ll take a lot of good memories and I’m looking forward to the new challenges, growth and learning opportunities I’m going to have going forward in the new role.”
As deputy chief, Woods will assist the chief of police in the day-to-day operations of the service. He will also oversee the Professional Standards Unit, Policy and Accreditation Unit, IT Section, the Business Management Section and Victim/Witness Services.
“The biggest support for me as chief is he’s my right hand person,” said Davis. “He can help in the decision making and provide accountability throughout the organization — a key part of the organization.”
Woods said he’s supportive of the direction the force is going under Davis’ leadership. After he steadies his feet and gains a little more knowledge of the new expectations, Woods said he looks forward to contributing some fresh ideas.
“There are some things that I think, as we move forward, that I’ll certainly be trying to put my view in and approach to as well.”
Davis said he has complete confidence in Woods’ ability to make the right decisions under stress any time.
“At the end of the day I’m confident that Scott’s going to be an excellent deputy chief.”
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