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Northumberland OPP has a new leader at the helm with Detachment Commander Insp. Mike Cavanagh.
Cavanagh assumed the top post from Insp. Kristy McNaughton who has moved on to the Quinte West OPP Detachment.
Cavanagh brings a wealth of experience to the role and is promising a community-first and personal approach to policing under his leadership.
Cavanagh tells us more about how he originally got into policing.
And so, that was that – he applied and went on to serve in Stirling and then in Lindsay with Kawartha Lakes’ service before joining OPP in 2010.
“From there, my career really took off,” he shares.
After serving in the Kawartha area, Cavanagh moved on to Pembroke before making his way back to OPP’s Central Region coverage area. He most recently served as interim commander at the Haliburton Highlands Detachment and previously as a staff sergeant in Peterborough County before making the move to Northumberland.
Of course, his big focus will be keeping the community safe here – and Cavanagh shares he practises a pragmatic approach to policing, but a community-first approach, as well as support for front-line officers are also focus areas. In terms of community, Cavanagh says this means foot patrols, officers getting out into schools, meeting people, and attending community events, as just a few examples.
“You’re going to get a very personal approach by our officers.”
Cavanagh tells us cracking down more on safety on roadways is another big priority, along with collaboration with other area police services like Cobourg and Port Hope and additional enforcement efforts – but that’s not all.
Cavanagh notes police do their best work when closely connected with their communities.
According to his OPP bio, Cavanagh has a correctional worker program diploma from Fleming College and has also completed the senior police leadership course through Trent University. He was also awarded the Police Exemplary Service Medal in recognition of his 20 years of dedicated service.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt, with files from Joseph Goden)
