Hamilton Police Service Board appoints Robin Abbott as deputy chief

Hamilton police announced Thursday that Robin Abbott has been named the new deputy chief of police, effective Sept. 27.

The position has been vacant since former deputy chief of police Paul Hamilton retired from the Hamilton police on May 29.

Abbott brings over 27 years of policing experience to the role, including operational, administrative and executive leadership experience.

She most recently served as superintendent of Division One and demonstrated a strong commitment to public safety and community partnerships throughout her career.

“One of the board’s most important responsibilities is selecting senior leaders who will guide the organization and strengthen public trust,” says Chair Don Robertson.

“Following an open and competitive process that attracted highly qualified diverse candidates from across Ontario and multiple levels of government, we reaffirmed what we already knew: Hamilton police leaders are among the best in the province and are helping lead the way in policing.”

Abbott took on a leadership role in assisting the board in building their 2023-26 Strategic Plan and has championed several initiatives including Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) training and the modernization of organizational policies and practices.

READ MORE: Hamilton deputy police chief Paul Hamilton retiring to become chief of Niagara Parks Police

Additionally as the Division One lead, she advanced community safety initiatives in Hamilton’s downtown core, such as the expansion of Core Patrol and the opening of the Jackson Square police substation.

“A promotion is about more than recognizing past performance. It’s about who we trust to help shape our future. Strong leaders make those around them better, move our mission forward and understand that leadership isn’t about authority, but how you use it,” says Chief Frank Bergen.

“Deputy Abbott embodies those qualities and I’m excited about the experience, perspective and skills she brings to our leadership team.”

In her new role, Abbott will oversee support services such as crisis response, traffic safety, emergency services and facilities. She will also work with the chief and executive leadership team to advance the board’s strategic priorities and respond to community needs.

“We face incredibly complex challenges in our community and addressing them requires us to listen, collaborate and bring the right people to the table. We can’t do this work alone. Community engagement and strong partnerships are the cornerstone of our success,” says Abbott.

READ MORE: Hamilton police arrest two men after separate violent incidents in city’s downtown core