CORNWALL – After nearly two-and-a-half years in the top position, the chief of the Cornwall Police Service is retiring.
Danny Aikman made the announcement Thursday morning during the virtual police board meeting that he will be hanging up his hat at the end of this year.
“After 41 years of police service, I feel now is the right time to move on with the next chapter of my life,” Aikman said.
“I know a lot of people when they retire talk about spending more time with their wives and their children and whatnot. This pandemic has given me a lot of time with my wife recently, we’ll see how that works out, love her to death. I have actually been married 41 years to Connie as well so I don’t see that ending anytime soon,” Aikman chuckled.
Aikman became chief designate Nov. 1, 2017 during a transition period before then-Chief Dan Parkinson retired in December 2018.
Outside of being an instructor of the Ontario Police College, Aikman has worked his entire policing career nearly 40 years in the Cornwall Police Service.
“Personally, you have been a most respectful and responsive police chief. Your emphasis on communication and listening have been powerful and well received by me and the community. You took on the leadership role with ease and maturity,” Mayor Bernadette Clement said, noting Aikman assuming the role around the same time she became mayor.
“You’ve been a gentleman, a straight shooter, and when you have those two qualities, I don’t know what else there is to say,” board member Bill Beattie added.
Board chairman Glen Grant accepted Aikman’s retirement letter “with reluctance.” Grant noted that Aikman was the youngest deputy chief in the history of the CPS when he was given the role in 2013.
“Your contributions to the community over the years have helped improve the reputation of the Cornwall Police Service,” Grant said.
The police board will plan for a successor.