Provincial Government Continues to Focus
on Safety and Security of Communities

Premier Appoints New Chief of Police for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary

The Honourable Tom Marshall, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced that Deputy Chief Bill Janes has been appointed Chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) effective March 1, 2014. Deputy Chief Janes takes over from Chief Bob Johnston who recently announced his retirement.

“Bill is a long-serving member of the RNC having first joined the agency in 1985. The wide-range of knowledge and experience he has gained from working in different aspects of policing will be valuable assets as he leads the police service going forward. Bill is well respected by his colleagues and the community and I wish him the best as he takes on this challenging role. I also congratulate Bob Johnston on his fine career and his well-earned retirement.”
- The Honourable Tom Marshall, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Policing in Newfoundland and Labrador has received considerable investments in recent years with more than 140 new officers deployed throughout the province and the annual policing budget having increased by approximately $50 million annually since 2004. Most recently, the RNC officially opened its new $57.5 million headquarters at Fort Townshend earlier in February.

“I have worked with Bill on a number of occasions over the past year or so and he is an excellent choice for Chief of Police for the RNC. He has played a significant leadership role in helping the RNC become one of the country’s leading law enforcement agencies and I look forward to collaborating with him on future policing initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice

Please see the backgrounder below for a biography of Deputy Chief Janes.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• Deputy Chief Janes has been appointed as Chief of Police for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. He replaces outgoing Chief Robert Johnston who announced his retirement earlier this month.
• Bill Janes has been a member of the RNC for almost 30 years and most recently served as Deputy Chief (Criminal Operations).
• Policing in Newfoundland and Labrador has received considerable investments in recent years with more than 140 new officers patrolling the streets and the annual policing budget having increased by approximately $50 million annually since 2004.

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Video: Premier Appoints New Chief of Police

BACKGROUNDER
Biography of Bill Janes

Bill Janes joined the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in 1985 and has a background in Patrol, Operational Support and the Criminal Investigation Division (CID). He also served as Commander of both the Tactics and Rescue Unit and the Public Order Unit. He has overseen the work of supervisors and managers responsible for areas including Major Crime, Intelligence and Organized Crime, Patrol, Traffic, Accident Investigation, Mounted Unit, Drug Awareness, Police Dog Service, Ground Search and Rescue, Explosives Disposal, Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Negotiation. He is the recipient of the Police Exemplary Service Medal, as well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Deputy Chief Janes has received extensive training through the Canadian Police College, Ontario Police College, Canadian Emergency Preparedness College and Memorial University's Gardiner Centre. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Police Studies from Memorial University.

Deputy Chief Janes is a member of the National Police Services National Advisory Committee, the John Howard Society of Newfoundland and Labrador Board of Directors and is Past Chair of the United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador Community Investment Committee.

2014 02 28                                              10:50 a.m.