The Hamilton Police Service has announced the appointment of Robin Abbott, a seasoned officer with 27 years of experience on the force, as its new deputy chief, marking a significant leadership change. Abbott, who has dedicated her entire career to the Hamilton Police Service, is set to assume the role of deputy chief on September 27, according to a recent announcement by the police services board.
Taking over from the retiring deputy chief Paul Hamilton, who has moved on to lead the Niagara Parks police force, Abbott brings a wealth of experience to the position. Throughout her career, she has held various key roles, including serving as superintendent of Division 1, and has demonstrated proficiency in operational, administrative, and executive capacities.
In her new role as deputy chief overseeing support operations, Abbott will be responsible for managing crisis response, traffic safety, emergency services, and facilities. Expressing her enthusiasm for the opportunity to help steer the organization towards future success, Abbott highlighted the weight of responsibility that comes with the position during a press conference.
Reflecting on her journey since joining the Hamilton police force in 1999, Abbott shared that attaining the rank of deputy chief was not something she initially aspired to, having aimed to become a police officer since a young age. She emphasized her commitment to excelling in her current role, a mindset Chief Frank Bergen praises as “be where your feet are,” which has paved the way for her progression into leadership positions.
Addressing the challenges facing Hamilton, Abbott pointed out issues such as homelessness, mental health crises, the opioid epidemic, and rising youth violence. She emphasized the need to streamline operations for frontline officers to enhance their responsiveness to situations where police intervention is necessary. Abbott also stressed the importance of forging partnerships with community organizations to address issues more effectively and prevent youth involvement in the criminal justice system.
As she steps into her new role, Abbott outlined her focus on implementing the service’s strategic plan and aligning with community-driven objectives to gauge success in her first year. Additionally, Abbott highlighted her dedication to promoting gender diversity within the force, particularly in leadership positions, as she leads the Women’s Internal Support Network initiative aimed at empowering women in policing.
Moving forward, Abbott aims to advance the representation of women within the force, working towards the goal of achieving a 30% female presence without a set timeline, as part of her commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the Hamilton Police Service.