ESTEVAN - Rich Lowen is resigning as chief of the Estevan Police Service.
Lowen made the announcement during Wednesday's meeting of the Estevan board of police commissioners. His departure is effective Aug. 31. He told the board he was leaving to pursue another opportunity that was not disclosed.
Lowen, who replaced Paul Ladouceur, has been Estevan's police chief since September 2021. Prior to coming to Estevan, Lowen had a lengthy career with Winnipeg's city police.
After announcing his resignation, Lowen told the police board it has been an honour to serve alongside the members of the Estevan Police Service.
"I believe all of our members, sworn and civilian, have made great strides in setting a good path for the future. I'm confident that they will continue to succeed in providing good service for the people of Estevan," Lowen told the board.
Quoting a former Saskatchewan Police Commission member, Lowen said the EPS has become a model for all of Saskatchewan.
Lowen also thanked the police board for their support during his time, and he thanked the community for the support they have shown him and the EPS.
"The support they have given me means more than you can possibly imagine," Lowen said.
After joking about whether they should accept Lowen's resignation, the board members paid tribute to Lowen. Member-at-large Roberta DeRosier said the improvements that have occurred are due "in very large part" to Lowen's leadership.
"We definitely are on a completely different track than we were before you got here, and we are very appreciative of all you put into that," said DeRosier.
Coun. Rebecca Foord said she looks forward to continuing to work with Lowen before he leaves.
Coun. Tony Sernick, who was the acting chairman of the meeting, noted that Lowen was thrown into a difficult situation when Lowen arrived. A couple of major incidents that occurred during Lowen's tenure were handled with professionalism.
More to come.
