Joe Boland named new RNC chief, vows 'highest level of accountability'
'We're going to reach right down into the rank and file, their opinions are going to matter,' says Boland
Supt. Joe Boland is the new chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
"This is a very proud, exciting, yet humbling experience for me," he said at RNC headquarters in St. John's at Tuesday morning's announcement.
"I have a deep love for this province and for this organization."
Boland is a 34-year veteran of the RNC, and has served with the criminal investigation division and crime prevention. He has also served as president and vice-president of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association (RNCA).
"I'm a little bit nervous here this morning," he said, with a smile.
He vowed the force would continue to be guided by its core values, including "treating people with respect, delivering police services in a compassionate, ethical and unbiased way, seeking the truth ... and being approachable and accessible and of service to all individuals."
'Highest level of accountability'
Boland pledged to maintain and foster relationships within the force and community.
"I will assure the highest level of accountability at all levels," he said.
"I understand the vital role the RNCA plays and I also understand the importance of maintaining a open, healthy and respectful working relationship."
Justice Minister Andrew Parsons said Boland was appointed to the top job after an "extensive process," noting applications for the job came from as far as Russia.
"Never had I ever seen the uniformity or unanimity of people's appreciation of Chief Boland ... everybody had the same opinion, in that Joe Boland was the right person for the job," said Parsons.
'People are going to be included'
Boland replaces Bill Janes, who was appointed to the top job in 2014 and whose last day on the job was Friday.
He steps into the new role, in the wake of several high profile incidents that have garnered crticism of the force.
- Joe Smyth used 'appropriate force in self-defence,' says report into Dunphy shooting
- Protest follows not guilty verdict in RNC officer Doug Snelgrove sexual assault trial
RNC Const. Carl Douglas Snelgrove, who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman who asked him for a ride home while he was on duty, was found not guilty in February. The Crown is appealing that verdict and the case is also before the RNC's Public Complaints Commission.
An inquiry into the 2015 shooting death of Don Dunphy recently concluded that Const. Joe Smyth "demonstrated certain errors of judgment ... but responded with appropriate force."
Boland said change is on the way.
"We have an opportunity here now to build a new executive team, there are many openings within senior manegement," he said.
"My style of leadership is going to be very participatory, you know, people are going to be included here. We're going to reach right down into the rank and file, their opinions are going to matter," he said.
Chief Joe Boland gets a warm welcome from <a href="https://twitter.com/RNC_PoliceNL">@RNC_PoliceNL</a> officers and staff <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBCNL?src=hash">#CBCNL</a> <a href="https://t.co/BaTVRi2bxt">pic.twitter.com/BaTVRi2bxt</a>
—@Jeremy_EatonBoland, who was raised in Logy Bay, N.L. as one of 11 kids, said mental health and addictions are the biggest issues facing policing today.
"We're going to be treating mental health as it should be treated — and that's as a health issue, not a policing issue," he said.
Boland acknowledged the challenges, but insisted he is up for the job.
"I will do my very best to ensure our province remains the safest, most secure and greatest place in the world to live," he said.
