After nearly four decades in policing, Kingston Police Chief Antje McNeely is calling it quits on a career.
Mayor Brian Paterson says working with McNeely has been a pleasure, highlighting the many challenges he faces such as the pandemic, illegal street parties and the ever-changing roles of police officers.
“I think she did an extraordinary job, reaching out to marginalized communities, helping build relationships with the police and really driving some real change in policing,” Patterson said.
Kingston police issue warning after release of high-risk offender
read more
Scott Fraser is taking over as Acting Police Chief for next year while the recruitment process for a new Chief of Police is underway.
Fraser was the Brockville police chief before coming to Kingston in 2021 as deputy chief. Fraser says he supports the expansion, which started as a pilot project to make mental health professionals available to help officers. Fraser said the service currently operates 17 hours a day in Kingston.
“Our expectation is to try to cover the entire 24-hour period, so we do our best to do that, and that’s how we’re doing that whole project,” Fraser said.
Limestone City also saw six murders in 2022, including a double murder. Fraser says violent crime is a growing trend that will require a collaborative effort to address.
“This is where we really need the justice system to, you know, step up and … we have to work as a team here,” he said.
“We all play an important part in this.”
Fraser said this collaborative approach also applies to the illegal drug trade.
“Fentanyl parallels the drug trade,” he said. “It’s obviously a huge issue in every community that leads to a lot of deaths and unnecessary deaths.”
And as far as permanently becoming Kingston’s top police officer, he said, “Obviously, there will be a process and due diligence, and you know what? If I’m chosen as the best candidate moving forward If so, I would be proud to do so.
Either way, Fraser says Job One is making sure it’s a smooth transition for whoever takes over as Kingston’s next police chief.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.