With the sound of bagpipes echoing through Victoria Hall, Chris Leather was officially sworn in Thursday afternoon as the 14th Chief of the Cobourg Police Service during a ceremony celebrating his 36-year policing career and the beginning of a new chapter for the organization.
Cobourg Police Service Pipe Band members Mary Ito and Ian McFarlane piped dignitaries into the Concert Hall to begin the ceremony before Chief Leather took the salute during the playing of O Canada. Members of the Cobourg Police Service Honour Guard, Constables Jay Salisbury, Jamie Baggaley and Josalyn Hilts, also participated in the ceremonial proceedings.
Hosted by the Cobourg Police Service Board, the swearing-in ceremony drew policing leaders from across Ontario, elected officials, members of the justice sector, community partners, Cobourg Police Service officers and staff, as well as Leather’s family and friends.
Police Service Board Chair Adam Bureau welcomed those in attendance, describing the day as the beginning of “a new chapter” for the service.
“The position of Chief of Police carries tremendous responsibility,” Bureau said. “It demands strong leadership, integrity, sound judgment, and an unwavering commitment to both the organization and the community it serves.”
Bureau praised Leather’s leadership experience with both York Regional Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, saying he has built a reputation for collaborative leadership, accountability, community engagement and a commitment to public safety.
“As we look to the future, we do so from a position of strength,” Bureau said. “Today, Chris becomes the 14th Chief of Police in the history of the Cobourg Police Service. He joins a proud legacy of leaders who have helped shape this organization and earn the trust and confidence of the community.”
Bureau also acknowledged the leadership of outgoing Chief Paul VandeGraaf for helping position the service for continued success and recognized the professionalism and dedication of Cobourg Police Service members and civilian staff.
Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique, a longtime friend and former policing partner, said attending Leather’s swearing-in was one of the highlights of his policing career.
“Chris and I have a lot of history. Thirty-six years in policing together,” Carrique said.
He recalled the pair working together as young detective constables in York Region during the early 1990s, investigating residential break-ins, robberies, abductions and homicide cases.
“The countless hours we spent together, I have full confidence that if I needed you, you were there to protect me. But you were also there to protect the citizens of York Region.”
Carrique said it became apparent early in Leather’s career that he possessed the qualities needed to become a chief of police.
“We all come across officers in our careers who we say, ‘They have it.’ They are the one that can rise to the rank of Chief of Police, if they choose to do so.”
With a smile, Carrique said Leather had “disappointed” him twice during their careers.
“In fact, he broke my heart.”
The first came when Leather left York Regional Police after 15 years to join the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
“He wanted to be a part of something bigger, recognizing the change in trends, the global impact of serious organized crime and the risk to national security. Chris had a calling to go and serve nationally on behalf of Canadians.”
Carrique said he was disappointed again this spring when he heard Leather planned to retire from the RCMP.
“Having sat beside him as constables, at this juncture we were sitting side by side together at the national table with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, where Chris was co-chair of the Organized Crime Committee and having an impact not only nationally, but internationally.
“What were we going to do with the loss of this police leader who had so much more to give?”
Carrique said those concerns disappeared when he learned Leather had accepted the position in Cobourg.
“Well Chris, all those disappointments are behind us now.”
Addressing the Police Service Board, Mayor Lucas Cleveland and members of the Cobourg Police Service, Carrique praised the appointment.
“Congratulations. You have acquired one of the most experienced, professional, committed police leaders in this entire country.”
He concluded with one of the strongest endorsements of the afternoon.
“He’s somebody that I would work for any day, at any time, because he represents the values of a police leader and he has done so for 36 years.”
Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland reflected on growing up in a policing family, noting his father, grandfather, two uncles and an aunt all served as police officers.
“Thirty-six years isn’t a résumé. It’s a life,” Cleveland said. “Thousands of shifts, thousands of decisions made in seconds that most of us will never have to make, and thousands of nights where someone else got to sleep because he didn’t.”
Cleveland also paid tribute to the families of officers, saying their sacrifices often go unrecognized.
“Every officer in this room has people at home who have learned to live with a certain kind of stress and anxiety. That’s a service too, and it rarely gets a ceremony.”
Injecting some humour into the event, Cleveland noted it was his first police chief swearing-in as mayor and joked that Leather had patiently guided him through the process.
“If this is how he has been with the Mayor, I’m cautiously optimistic about how he is going to handle this incredible community.”
The mayor also spoke about the changing nature of policing, saying officers today are increasingly responding to mental health crises, addiction and homelessness alongside traditional law enforcement responsibilities.
“We continue to ask a great deal. What we owe in return is a Service that is properly resourced, properly supported, and properly led.”
He assured Leather of the Town’s support.
“You have my support. You have Council’s support. And you have a community that is glad you’re here.”
The official swearing-in followed as Town Clerk Brent Larmer administered the Oath of Office to Leather, officially appointing him as Chief of the Cobourg Police Service. Following the oath, Police Service Board Chair Adam Bureau presented Leather with his Chief’s badge, formally marking his assumption of command.
After taking the oath of office, Leather addressed the audience for the first time as Chief of Police.
“It is a true honour to stand before you today,” he said. “It is a deeply personal privilege to be sworn in as the 14th Chief of Police for the Town of Cobourg.”
Leather thanked his wife Audra, his parents, mother-in-law, sons William and Daniel, their families and his longtime friends and colleagues for supporting him throughout his policing career.
He also acknowledged the members of the Cobourg Police Service, recognizing that although he has recently joined the organization, earning the trust of officers and staff remains one of his priorities.
“I know I am new to the Service, and I will need to earn your trust and support,” Leather said. “I understood this when I accepted the position.”
Referencing the service’s motto, Lex Praesidium Libertatis — The law is the safeguard of liberty — Leather said policing extends far beyond simply enforcing legislation.
“Our responsibility is not merely to enforce the law but to ensure that the rule of law protects the rights, freedoms and security of every member of our community.”
Leather reflected on beginning his policing career with York Regional Police in 1989 before serving 21 years with the RCMP in provincial and federal roles across three provinces.
Those experiences, he said, shaped both his leadership philosophy and his approach to policing.
“My leadership style is rooted in support, empowerment, collaboration, and connection,” Leather said.
“I believe in listening. I believe in building trust. And I believe in making sure our members know they are valued, supported, and equipped to do their work well.”
He said the community expects its police service to be connected, visible, responsive and accountable while providing sound financial stewardship and principled, empathetic leadership.
“As I begin this role, I do so with humility, gratitude, and a full heart,” Leather said. “I am committed to the people of Cobourg, to the members of the Cobourg Police Service, and to the Police Services Board.”
Applause filled the Concert Hall as the ceremony concluded and Chief Leather, accompanied by the dignitaries, was piped from Victoria Hall by Cobourg Police Service Pipe Band members Mary Ito and Ian McFarlane, officially marking the beginning of his tenure as the 14th Chief of the Cobourg Police Service.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
