Departing Saskatoon police chief reflects on career

Saskatoon Police Service Chief Troy Cooper is retiring from the force on Friday, marking the end of a five-year tenure that began in February, 2018.

Originally from Big River, Cooper spent 31 years with the Prince Albert Police Service, working his way up to police chief. After that, his career brought him to Saskatoon, where he became the first Métis leader of the police service.

Cooper played a pivotal role in integrating cutting-edge technology, including body-worn cameras, into the force.

He said some of the experiences he had while working as a patrol and major crimes officer are still hard to talk about to this day.

“I think anybody that’s done public service – whether you’re a nurse, firefighter, soldier or police officer – you have those moments that are burned into your memory,” Cooper said.

He said some of the toughest cases were those that involved children.

“I’m a softie. I have five children of my own, so I care a lot about kids, and they touch my heart,” he said.

Other tough cases, he said, were those that had a major impact on people’s lives, such as murders.

The chief reflected back on the homicide in Prince Albert of Leo LaChance, who was shot and killed in January of 1991. Cooper and his partner were the first officers on the scene.

“I can remember that call well, and I carry that with me,” he said.

Cooper also reflected on other high-profile cases in Saskatchewan, such as the death of Colten Boushie. He was shot in the head on a farm west of Saskatoon in 2016. Gerald Stanley was initially charged with second-degree murder in the case, but was later acquitted by a jury.

The RCMP handled that case, Cooper said, but he noted it also had a major impact on Saskatchewan communities.

Although high-profile cases played a part in shaping Cooper’s career, he said the good times on the force and the feeling of fulfillment were also important to his years in policing.

“We made people feel safe,” he said. “At the end of each day, when you go home as a police officer, you know you did something worth doing.”

Cooper said he felt he got to contribute to the community alongside a team that is “amazing” and “incredible.”

The chief said he’s feeling a bit anxious about his last day, as there are still many threads left to tie up.

“It’s hard to let go of something that you’ve been so connected to for so long,” he said, noting he’s confidently leaving his position in the hands of dedicated members of the force.

Cooper suffered a heart attack in April, but was back at work within a month.

After leaving the police force, Cooper said his time in the public life will likely come to an end.

“Once I recover and I’m ready to contribute again, there might be something related to public safety that I would consider, but for now, I don’t have any plans other than grandchildren and rest,” he said.

Dave Haye, a 39-year veteran of the Saskatoon Police Service, will take on the role of interim chief after Cooper’s retirement.

More details on the search for Cooper’s permanent replacement are expected next Thursday.

–With files from 650 CKOM’s Lara Fominoff