Nelson Police Chief Constable Paul Burkart announces retirement
By Nelson Daily Staff
Nelson Police Board will soon begin the process of hiring a new police chief after current Chief Paul Burkart recently announced his retirement, effective in the spring of 2021.
Chief Burkart has served as Chief Constable of the Nelson Police Department since February 2016, replacing Chief Wayne Holland.
Chief Burkart previously served as Inspector and Deputy Chief at NPD.
“Chief Burkart has worked hard to mentor and develop his team at the Nelson Police Department, and I know his legacy will continue to have a positive impact on our community for many years to come,” said Nelson Mayor John Dooley, Chair of the Nelson Police Board.
“While we are sorry to see him leave, we are very happy for him and wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Chief Burkart, who began his career at Nelson Police in 2000 as a Constable after five years Calgary Police Department, has brought a number of initiatives to Nelson that have made our community and policing better.
Some of initiatives include working closely with our vulnerable population and local non-profit agencies as well as playing a vital role in the development of the Fentanyl Task Force and the Peer-to-Peer Mental Health program that provides mental health support to first responders.
Chief Burkart served on several community service agency boards and taught the D.A.R.E. program in Nelson schools for over ten years.
He also volunteered a great deal of time with the Nelson Youth Soccer Board as well as coaching in the Rep Program for 12 years.
The Nelson Police Board is in the process of undertaking a formal recruitment process to find a suitable candidate for the Chief Constable position in Nelson.
