Troy Cooper (pictured) will step down as Police Chief of the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), effective January 16, 2024.

The announcement was made Thursday afternoon at a news conference prior to the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners regular public meeting. The 58-year-old Cooper became Chief of the Saskatoon Police Service in January of 2018 after serving over 31 years with the Prince Albert Police Service – the last six of those as Police Chief. Cooper had signed a two-year, 10-month extension to his contract as Chief of the SPS back in March of this year, which would’ve taken him through December 31, 2025. However, Cooper did sustain a mild heart attack in April and was on leave for several weeks.

“I don’t want to scare anybody, I’m absolutely healthy. I’m receiving great treatment, but just as I recover, it’s going to take a while for me to come back to the same level of energy I once had,” he stated.

He says he wouldn’t be able to leave his position if he was concerned about the future of the service. “The service itself is an industry leader. We’re an example for others, we are leading in innovation. We are leading in so many ways. I don’t think I am walking away from something that needs my help. I think I am capable of leaving and allowing it to succeed without me there.”

Cooper adds that although his time in the public has probably ended, once he recovers, he could see himself doing something public-safety related again. For now, he intends to spend his time with his family watching their favourite hockey teams.

The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners will announce the replacement process for Cooper in the coming weeks and name an Acting Police Chief, who will serve between January 16, 2024 and the date a new Chief will start.