Today, the Toronto Police Board announced that Myron Demkiw, a 32-year veteran of the force, will serve as the city’s next police chief.
Today he is Deputy Director of Special Operations Management of TPS.
Interim Police Chief James Ramer, whose contract runs until the end of this year, will continue to lead Toronto police until Demkiw begins his new role.  Ramer served as the Toronto Police’s interim chief following the resignation of former police chief Mark Saunders in August 2020. He also held the role of Deputy Chief of Special Operations Command prior to becoming chief.
The longtime Toronto police officer posted a tweet in support of Demkiw’s appointment.

	I am extremely happy that @TPSMyronDemkiw will be the next Chief of the @TorontoPolice.  He is the right choice and will serve our city with distinction and the highest levels of integrity and professionalism.  It will be my honor to hand over the reins to him on December 19, 2022. 
— Chief James Ramer (@jamesramertps) September 15, 2022
In a statement, the TPS board called Chief Demkiw “a national police leader who has dedicated his career to enhancing public safety in partnership with Toronto’s diverse communities, including preventing and effectively combating gun violence and gangs, while supporting the ongoing police reform and modernization agenda.” 

	Today, the Board announced that it has selected @TPSMyronDemkiw as the next Chief of the @TorontoPolice.  He is a respected national police leader, dedicated to enhancing public safety in partnership with Toronto’s diverse communities.  See our statement: 
— Toronto Police Services Board (@TPSBoard) September 15, 2022
Board president Jim Hart said Demkiw “answers the call of Torontonians who are looking for a police leader with extensive operational policing experience to keep our city, its residents and visitors safe while implementing a modern vision for community safety that is progressive and community-centered.”
He said Demkiw is also “a dedicated public servant and relationship builder, dedicated to building and strengthening trust with the diverse communities we serve.”
Hart specifically said the TPS board was “impressed” with Demkiw’s “wealth of international policing expertise,” particularly in gun and gang violence and counterterrorism, as well as his “commitment to continued reform and modernization of the larger municipal police of Canada”.
“The Board is confident that Chief Demkiw can build on the extensive progress we have made together to improve policing and community safety in our city and continue to ensure that the Toronto Police Service and its members remain world leaders in policing and community safety’.  Hart said.
A member of the Police Force’s Order of Merit, Demkiw will take up the role of Chief of Police on December 19 after a three-month transition period.  He is due to hold a press conference on his first day in office to outline his priorities.
Demkiw said he is “honored” to be the city’s next police chief and that he is “deeply invested in the city of Toronto and its people.”
“I am committed to the integrity and success of the Toronto Police Service,” he said in the release.
“I will spend the next 95 days transitioning and supporting Chief Ramer before I take over on December 19, 2022. I look forward to working with our members, the public and the media when I begin the role of Chief of Police later this year.”

	Honored to be the next Chief @TorontoPolice, effective December 19th.  Thank you @TPSBoard for your trust and also to my sworn and civilian colleagues.  Out of respect for our grieving members, I reserve further comment at this time.  Thanks Toronto.  I look forward to serving.
— Myron Demkiw (@TPSMyronDemkiw) September 15, 2022
This news comes just days after TPS tragically lost one of its longtime members, Const.  Andrew Hong, in a shooting spree.
“The Board recognizes that this is an extremely difficult and sensitive time for our members and their families as they grapple with the recent tragic loss of PC Andrew Hong, with the enormous sadness, grief and pain it brings.  This is an organization, and indeed a city in mourning, and we make this announcement in sad recognition of this momentous event,” they said.
“However, given that this formal decision has now been made by the Board, and its clear and immediate impact on both Members of this Service and members of the Toronto communities, we are making this announcement today to share a of significant organizational and public interest.”
Demkiw also acknowledged that this news comes at a time when TPS is mourning the loss of one of its own.