Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey retires from OPP

November 27, 2013 · 0 Comments

The OPP may be saying goodbye to retiring Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey this month but the outstanding contributions he made during his distinguished 33-year career will not soon be forgotten, says OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis.

Beechey has been the Provincial Commander of Traffic Safety and Operational Support since January, 2008. During his tenure in this position, he carried the responsibility and oversight of all OPP traffic programs in the province. He was also responsible for the Communications and Technology Support Bureau, the Security Bureau which oversees all corporate and Dignitary Protection and the Field Support Bureau which is charged with all major event planning.

Beechey also oversaw important OPP specialized units and programs such as Emergency Response Teams, Tactics and Rescue Units, the Aviation Services program, the Auxiliary program and Offender Transport.

After joining the OPP in 1980, Beechey served in Bracebridge, Brantford and Sault Ste. Marie Detachments. He also served as Area Commander in Ottawa and held the positions of Manager of Staff Development and Director of Support at East Region Headquarters.

Beechey’s ambition and dedication to the OPP did not go unnoticed and in 2004, he was promoted to Commander of the OPP’s East Region. Over and above his numerous roles and responsibilities within the OPP, he was the Chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) Traffic Committee and was a member of various International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) traffic committees including World Regional Chair of the IACP for North America.

Beechey was born and raised in St. Thomas, Ontario and is one of a number of family members who serve/served with military/paramilitary organizations. His father was in the military, his brother is a retired police officer who served with the St. Thomas Police Service and his sister works at the Ontario Police College. Retiring Deputy Commissioner Beechey is married and has two children.

OPP Chief Superintendent Brad Blair has been promoted to rank of Deputy Commissioner, Provincial Commander for Traffic Safety and Operational Support, replacing Deputy Commissioner Larry Beechey.

“We undertook a thorough competition process to arrive at this decision and have made an excellent choice. Brad Blair has had a distinguished career with the OPP and I am looking forward to welcoming him as a Provincial Commander, where I know he’ll continue to serve the people of Ontario and the OPP well,” said OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis.

Originally from Essex, Ontario, and a graduate of the University of Windsor, Blair is currently the Commander of the OPP’s Central Region, but will transition to his new role in the near future as one of four Provincial Commanders supporting Lewis.

A 27-year veteran of the OPP, Blair began his career in the far north at the Red Lake and Sioux Lookout Detachments and went on to hold a variety of command positions with increasing responsibility. In 2011 he was promoted to Commander of Central Region after serving for several years as Commander of the Aboriginal Policing Bureau.

As Provincial Commander, Blair will assume responsibility and oversight for all OPP traffic programs in the province, the Communications and Technology Support Bureau, the Security Bureau which oversees all corporate and dignitary protection and the Field Support Bureau which is charged with all major event planning.

His new command also includes important OPP specialized units and programs such as Emergency Response Teams, Tactics and Rescue Units, the Aviation Services program, the Auxiliary program and Offender Transport.

“My career with the OPP has continuously challenged me as a police officer and a leader. I am excited about the future and humbled by the responsibility,” said Blair.