Rodd announces retirement
Police chief to retire June 30 after a 35-year policing career, all with city police
He may be planning to leave the only job he ever wanted, but city police Chief Murray Rodd – whose first full-time gig was setting pins at a bowling alley at age nine – admits he won’t be sitting idle after his June 30 retirement.
“I’ll find something to do,” he said with a smile after telling those gathered for the Tuesday afternoon announcement at police headquarters about how he had been pondering his future while feeding his 20 black angus cattle the night before.
“I thought maybe I could do this full time,” he joked, later adding that the only schedule to compete with will be that of his wife of 33 years, Carolyn.
Rodd will end a 35-year career with the only police force he has ever worked for next summer. He rose through the ranks from constable to inspector, gaining experience in nearly every department before leading the organization for a decade.
“Being a police officer was really the only job I ever wanted to do and I was blessed to have this opportunity,” he told those gathered. “I’ve had the most fulfilling career I could have had and to be a chief is just an exceptional experience.”
Rodd pointed out that he’s had the privilege of serving under three chiefs-Jack Shrubb, Kevin McAlpine and Terry McLaren - and worked with four capable deputy chiefs.
He said he has approached all of his duties with a team mentality and that it has been an honour to work with some of the best police officers and civilians. “That’s easy to say, but it’s absolutely true. The men and women that I’ve served with ... are the finest people in this field.”
The news was delivered with “mixed emotions” by chairman Bob Hall of the Peterborough Police Services Board, which jointly made the announcement. He cited Rodd’s influence in moulding what has become a “great, amazing” police service.
The Lindsay native became a police officer at age 20 on June 20, 1983, inspired to go into a helping profession by his uncle and father figure, former Oshawa police chief Ted Ferguson. He died when Rodd was about five, but the chief said he read the stories, talked to those who knew him and had his photo on the wall of his childhood home.
The strong advocate of community-based policing studied law enforcement at Fleming College for two years before studying business for another two.
The chief has always promoted, and modelled, life-long learning, Hall said.
Rodd graduated from the University of Leicester with a master of business administration degree attained his level three certification as a municipal manager by the Ontario Municipal Management Institute in 2008.
After a national search, Rodd became chief of the then-called Peterborough Lakefield Community Police Service on Aug. 15, 2008, replacing McLaren, who retired. He got the job 19 days after his 25th anniversary with the city force.
Numerous award-winning programs were developed during Rodd’s tenure, including victim and community services, Hall said. Crime analyst, community development and media co-ordinating positions were also civilianized.
The chief has also been active with the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, chairing committees on education, training and professional development and representing the organization on health and safety issues.
Rodd also spent 22 years in the Canadian Forces reserves – from 1980 until 2002 – achieving the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He commanded the largest cadet-training centre in the country at Canadian Forces Base Borden, bear Barrie, for three summers.
“To have such a commitment to your community as well as your country, is absolutely amazing,” Hall told those gathered.
The chief has also led by example when it comes to volunteerism. Rodd has served on the board of directors of St. Joseph’s at Fleming and United Way, serving as chairman of the former from 2007 to 2001 and as campaign chair for the latter in 2010.
Most recently, he remains a cabinet member for The Mount Community Centre project and a part of the local 100 Men Who Care movement.
Hall highlighted some of Rodd’s accolades, including being named police officer of the year in 1995 and a recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003 and Governor General of Canada Order of Merit of the Police Forces appointment in 2001.
In 2015, he received the OACP’s highest honour, the president’s award.
“Chief Rodd has had an unprecedented career in policing. He’s served our community very well. He’s worked tirelessly to improve public safety. He’s recognized throughout the province ... for his leadership and dedication,” Hall said. “He is an extremely skilled, compassionate and caring leader who listens to citizens, stakeholders and probably more importantly, the members of the organization that he leads.”
Members will miss the chiefs enthusiasm and guidance, he added, thanking Rodd and wishing him well in his “next stage” on behalf of the board. “You have demonstrated ... the highest level of integrity, of dedication and hard work. Your excellence in leadership is going to be very hard to follow.”
Rodd submitted a letter of intent to retire to the board at the last meeting held Oct. 3. Following Tuesday’s announcement, Hall indicated that the board will discuss a succession plan at its next meeting, scheduled for Nov. 7.
From his point of view, the outgoing chief said he hopes that members will also look within, because he feels there are “great candidates” to replace him.
Rodd’s career hasn’t been without criticism. He and Deputy Chief Tim Farquharson drew public ire as a result of a contractual dispute that was settled out of court last October.