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The Regina Board of Police Commissioners has named Lorilee Davies the city’s 16th police chief, and the first woman to hold the title.
Davies has been serving in the role on an acting basis since Farooq Sheikh was removed from active service in April following a complaint.
Read more:
- Davies reflects on becoming Regina’s first woman deputy police chief
- Regina police chief temporarily removed from active service after complaint
- Regina Police Chief Farooq Sheikh fired with cause following investigation
Sheikh was terminated with cause in October, after the investigation found that he had acted in a way that was “dishonourable” to the police service after he engaged in “inappropriate private communications” with another police board member.
At a news conference, Davies became emotional.
“I’ve essentially grown up here,” she said. “And I almost feel a little bit like it’s my third child.”
She pledged to be there for the RPS family.
“You have my commitment to continue our focus on member wellness, fostering inclusivity and belonging,” she said. “I truly believe that when we show our employees that they are valued, that they provide better service to our community and they have much better well being.”
She later told reporters her first priority will likely be the budget, which will be finalized by city council the week of Dec. 15.
Mayor Chad Bachynski said Davies knows the RPS inside and out and has a deep understanding of the community and the needs of the city.
Her resume with the service includes the Public Safety and Crisis Negotiation teams, she developed the RPS Truth and Reconciliation Strategy and Committee, and was involved with the Regina Police Association.
She hopes being the first woman to serve as a Saskatchewan police chief will inspire other women to seek out non-traditional roles.
Davies also acknowledged former chief Evan Bray as a mentor.
“When he left this building on his last day, he said, ‘Take care of our family,’” she recalled. “I think it’s people first, and that’s really always been important to him and it’s important to me.”
Bachynski said Davies has signed a five-year contract.
Her promotion to chief took effect Nov. 25 but a formal swearing-in ceremony is planned for early in the new year.
When asked if she would apply for the police chief job in an interview with the Evan Bray Show in October, she said “if the opportunity were to present itself, I would think that I would say yes.”
Davies has been with the Regina Police Service since 1996.
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