LITTLE CURRENT – It has now been confirmed that Megan Cavanagh has now been announced as the permanent Inspector Detachment Commander of the Manitoulin-Espanola detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
At a Manitoulin Community Police Advisory Committee meeting last week, CPAC Chair Al Boyd told members, “I was talking to inspector Cavanagh earlier today and she has now been formally been promoted to the rank of inspector and detachment commander (for Manitoulin-Espanola detachment). I spoke to her earlier today via email and offered her congratulations on behalf of our group, and to indicate how much we look forward to working with her in the future.”
“It’s been great coming to a new place and meeting new people,” stated Inspector Detachment Commander Cavanagh of her time working in the Manitoulin-Espanola OPP detachment. She has been the interim Inspector Detachment Commander since late November 2018.
She explained that she started her career with the OPP in July 1993, starting in Prescott, Ontario. “I have worked multiple locations in the east region, mostly in OPP detachments, and a period of time on a regional traffic unit. I’ve worked in Prescott, and Renfrew, and worked in the Regional Traffic Unit in Lanark County, and worked in Bancroft as well. During her career she has done crime work, been in the specialized traffic unit, worked in staff development and training, detachment work and general law enforcement.
“I became the Detachment Commander in Superior East (Wawa) and now have been promoted on a permanent basis as Inspector Detachment Commander of the Manitoulin-Espanola detachment.”
When the Espanola Police Service merged with the OPP, the OPP’s service area had expanded and this resulted in staffing changes. Formerly, the top-ranking officer in the detachment, also known as the detachment commander, was a staff sergeant. With the increase in area, officers and serviced population, the rank of the detachment commander has increased from staff sergeant to inspector.
Inspector Detachment Commander Cavanagh said she is in the process of permanently moving to the area. “I’m very proud to have the opportunity to lead the Manitoulin-Espanola detachment,” she told the Recorder. “And I’m looking forward to working with the local communities and services groups, and building good relationships with all of them.”
