North West Region Welcomes New Regional Commander
THUNDER BAY, ON – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is pleased to announce that Superintendent Darrell SMILEY has been named as the North West Regional Commander. His official start date was August 3, 2015.
Superintendent SMILEY replaces Superintendent Ron van STRAALEN who officially commenced retirement duties on July 31, 2015 after 33 years of police service. Superintendent van STRAALEN served in North West Region for approximately seven and a half years, six of which he did so as the Regional Commander.
Superintendent SMILEY began his policing career in the community of Ignace Ontario in 1987, and served there for four years. Superintendent SMILEY was promoted to Sergeant while posted at Thunder Bay Detachment in 1995, and then served as Detective Staff Sergeant, Regional Manager Crime in 1999. In 2001 he became the Detachment Commander at Thunder Bay Detachment. His final transfer was back to North West Region Headquarters in 2006 as Inspector, Director of Community Policing and First Nations. Between 2006 and 2015 while at North West Region Headquarters, Superintendent SMILEY also held portfolios as Director of Operations and Support Services. Superintendent Smiley also completed a one year overseas policing mission in Afghanistan with EUPOL during 2012/13.
A police veteran with over 28 years of policing experience all served in the north, he is extremely proud to have the opportunity to lead what he considers to be some of the most dedicated, adaptable and talented police officers the organization has to offer.
