Jim MacSween, chief of York Regional Police, the force that serves Markham and the rest of York Region, will retire this summer.

The York Regional Police Service Board announced on Thursday that MacSween will leave the job on June 26, after six years as chief. He will continue to support the board as it works to appoint his successor, and the board said he has already played a role in succession planning for the force's executive team.

Nearly four decades in York Region

MacSween joined York Regional Police in 1989 and became chief on May 1, 2020, early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, he worked in the force's criminal investigations, community services and training and education bureaus and its hold-up unit, commanded two police districts and operational command, and served as deputy chief overseeing the support branch.

While chief, he also served as president of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and as chair of the Canadian Police Knowledge Network, according to the board.

It has been the greatest honour of my career to lead the dedicated members of this service, who put the professionalism, compassion and commitment to public safety into action every day.

— Jim MacSween, chief, York Regional Police

Steve Pellegrini, who chairs the police services board, thanked the chief for his service.

Chief MacSween has served our community with integrity, professionalism and a steadfast commitment to public safety.

— Steve Pellegrini, chair, York Regional Police Service Board

A force of more than 2,000

The board credited MacSween with steering the service and its more than 2,000 staff through the pandemic, with a new organizational structure for a fast-growing region, and with helping raise nearly $4 million for charities including Victim Services of York Region and Special Olympics Ontario.

The union representing the force's officers also praised the chief, saying he had led the service through a period of change that called for integrity and resilience.

The board has not said when it expects to name the next chief.