City Council approves hiring of new police chief for Miramichi

Deputy Chief Brian Cummings

Deputy Chief Brian Cummings will be promoted to position of Chief of the Miramichi Police Force following an unanimous vote by City Council at the Regular Council Meeting April 16, 2024.

Cummings will replace Chief Paul Fiander who recently announced his retirement. The appointment is effective June 1st, 2024.

It is common practice for municipal police forces to fill vacancies of the police chief’s position through internal succession planning. The last two police chiefs for the City were appointed through succession planning.

Cummings has been employed with the Miramichi Police Force since 1995. He moved up through the ranks in the department, was promoted to sergeant in 2006, serving as head of the Criminal Investigation Division before being promoted to deputy chief.

“I am very confident that Deputy Chief Cummings has the ability and the will to do the job,” Fiander told council.

Fiander added succession planning is a key component of managing staff turnover in law enforcement and other industries. Part of his job has been ensuring a plan is in place to continue the vision for the force for the future.

In his management report to City Council, City Manager Mike Noel said the Miramichi Police Force appears to be providing a high level of service to the community with little or no morale issues.

“The best way to ensure this continues is to promote the existing deputy chief, who is committed to maintaining the current practices, operations, and approach to management.”