Supt. Alvaro Almeida appointed York Regional Police deputy chief

Newmarkettoday.ca
Sept. 19, 2022

Supt. Alvaro Almeida has been appointed by York Regional Police Services Board as deputy chief to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Deputy Chief Brian Bigras.

Almeida, who has more than 34 years of law enforcement experience in homicide, drugs and vice, intelligence and strategic services, assumes the role on Oct. 3.

He co-led the cultural transformation at York Regional Police, called Breakthrough, that has inspired positive organizational change to support and include all members, according to a police services board news release. The focus of Breakthrough is member wellness and inclusion, strengthening working relationships between members and modernizing many processes, including retention, recruitment and talent promotion.

“Deputy Chief Designate Almeida is a proven leader in the policing community and has worked tirelessly over the course of his career to demonstrate excellence and integrity in policing,” said board chair Maurizio Bevilacqua. “He is a welcome addition to our service’s command staff.”

Almeida has a masters of arts degree in leadership from the University of Guelph and has completed the police leadership program through the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. Alvaro also holds a law enforcement diploma from Seneca College.

“I am excited to welcome Deputy Chief Designate Almeida to the executive command team,” said Chief Jim MacSween. “His extensive experience and proven leadership skills will help our organization now and into the future.”

Almeida also volunteers on the board of directors for 360kids, which provides wrap-around services and housing for at-risk youth in York Region.

“I am extremely proud and humbled to have been selected by the Board to serve as Deputy Chief of York Regional Police,” said Deputy Chief Designate Almeida. “I look forward to continuing the important work our organization is doing in the community, and internally, working closely with the members of our service, the Police Services Board and the public.”