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York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween will retire in June, the board that oversees the service announced on Thursday.
MacSween, who has worked in policing for 37 years and was chief for the past six years, is set to retire officially on June 26, the York Regional Police Service Board in a news release.
The announcement comes after York Regional Police released the results of Project South, a lengthy investigation into organized crime and corruption involving members of the Toronto Police Service.
On Feb. 5, York police said they had arrested and charged seven Toronto police officers and one retired Toronto police officer, as well as 19 additional suspects, in the investigation.
Investigators allege that the accused officers were involved in serious criminal activity, including conspiracy to commit murder, shootings, extortion, robbery and drug trafficking.
“We will not rest until we are sure corrupt, criminal actors and anyone abusing their power as a police officer is held accountable,” MacSween said in a news release about Project South.
“Corruption has no place in policing — it is never, and will never, be tolerated.”
Leading the service has been an honour, MacSween says
MacSween said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday that it was a privilege to lead the service.
“It has been the greatest honour of my career to lead the dedicated members of York Regional Police, who put the professionalism, compassion and commitment to public safety into action every day,” MacSween said.
“I would like to thank the Police Service Board, our members, our partners and our communities for the trust and confidence you have placed in me over the past six years, and for my entire career,” he added.
“Being privileged to work alongside and lead thousands of exceptional people, I am retiring with immense gratitude and pride.”
Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw, left, joined by York police Chief Jim MacSween, centre, and YRP deputy chief Ryan Hogan at a news conference to announce the results of ‘Project South,’ in Aurora, Ont., on Feb. 5, 2026. (Jon Blacker/The Canadian Press)
Boar chair Steve Pellegrini congratulated MacSween on his retirement.
“Chief MacSween has served our community with integrity, professionalism and a steadfast commitment to public safety,” Pellegrini said in the release.
“Under his leadership, our service has continued to evolve — strengthening community trust, improving support for our members, and modernizing how we respond to the changing needs of the people we serve.”
MacSween led service through changes, association says
In a post on X on Thursday, the York Regional Police Association, which represents 2,700 uniformed and civilian members of the York Regional Police, also congratulated MacSween.
“He led the service through evolving changes that required integrity, resilience and a genuine care for both members and the public. We are grateful for his leadership and wish him all the best in his retirement,” the association said.
MacSween became police chief on May 1, 2020, after working in the criminal investigations, community services and training and education bureaus, as well as the hold-up unit.
While he was chief, MacSween served as president of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and chair of the Canadian Police Knowledge Network and the St. John Ambulance Board of Directors. He was also a board member for Special Olympics Ontario.
MacSween said in the post he is committed in the coming months to “supporting a disciplined and seamless transition, so the organization’s focus stays exactly where it belongs — on building and protecting safer communities well into the future.”