After 40 years in law enforcement, Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson is resigning.
Here’s a timeline look at key moments from those 40 years and beyond, starting with a family picture from a succesful fishing trip, published in a 2007 Herald profile.
Rick Hanson (right) and his older brother Patrick.
Rick Hanson during his football-playing days.
The early years
1975: Joined Calgary Police Service
1981: Completes Bachelor of Arts (Social Science), University of Calgary
1982-1986: Sergeant, District 2
1986-1988: Sergeant, strike force (surveillance) unit
1988-1990: Staff sergeant, career development section
1990: Promoted to inspector
1991: Promoted to superintendent
1996: Promoted to deputy chief
2000: Officer in charge of planning for the World Petroleum Conference held in Calgary.
June 11, 2000: Over 2,000 protesters marched on Calgary’s Olympic Plaza next door to where the World Petroleum Congress is holding its conference. Photo by Ian Jackson
2001: Hanson plays a key role in the introduction of red-light cameras in Calgary
Calgary Police Deputy Chief Rick Hanson and his newest tool, the city’s first red-light camera at 162nd ave at Macleod Trail. Photo by Keith Morison/Calgary Herald
2002: Spearheaded security planning for G-8 summit held in Kananaskis.
June 27, 2002: (left to right) US President “George W. Bush”, Canadian Prime Minister “Jean Chretien”, and British Prime Minister “Tony Blair” are red carded by a “referee” because of their performance regarding Africa in the G8 meetings being held in Kananaskis Country. Photo by Greg Fulmes/Calgary Herald
And received acclaim for how well things went.
June 28, 2002: Deputy Chief Rick Hanson of the CPS discusses the success of the G8 Summit during a news conference at the Marriott Hotel. Photo by Jenelle Schneider/Calgary Herald
2005: Joined RCMP as superintendent in charge of the force’s Calgary-area detachments.
December 19, 2005: Sarah Blayney,6 gets some help from RCMP Rick Hanson,Officer in Charge, Calgary Urban Area Southern Alberta District, during a cheque presentation from the 1997 World Police Fire Games at the Calgary Fire Department Training Facility.
2006: Promoted to chief superintendent, transferred to division headquarters in Edmonton.
October 1, 2007: Sworn in as Calgary’s chief of police, replacing retiring chief Jack Beaton.
Calgary-Mayor Dave Bronconnier jokes with incoming Calgary Police chief Rick Hanson, right, and retiring chief Jack Beaton Monday September 10 following the announcement of Hanson’s appointment at City Hall. Photo by Ted Rhodes, Calgary Herald
New police chief Rick Hanson: “Crime pays. We gotta take the profit out of crime”
Chief Jack Beaton salutes his successor Chief Rick Hanson, who salutes back, as he marches by in the Change of Command Parade .
2008: Gang violence rises on Calgary streets
Calgary police on Centre Ave. N. where FOB gang member Roger Chin was fatally wounded when shots were fired into his SUV on Saturday, July 5 2008,
In response, Chief Hanson and Mayor Dave Bronconnier press for funding to hire 201 more officers over the next three years.
“I don’t want anybody to think resources are the only solution,” the chief cautioned. “They’re a huge part of the solution, you get a higher police presence; we need more investigative capacity. But I don’t want people to think that’s our only approach to solving this issue.”
May 2009: Chief Hanson unveils a three-year plan for the Calgary Police Service today that includes bringing several joint-forces units focused on fighting gangs and organized crime under the supervision of a single inspector from either the Calgary Police Service or the RCMP.
May 13, 2009: Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson unveils ta new policing strategy during a press conference at Police HQ. Ted Rhodes/Calgary Herald
December 2010 – The province announces new funding to fight gang crime.
Hanson said it was “gratifying” to have the province step up to help after law enforcement agencies saw gang violence swelling in the past three years.
Gang shootings and homicides are down, he said, but, “That doesn’t mean that gang activity is down.”
December 6, 2010: CPS Chief Rick Hanson with a display of seized sidearms during a news conference regarding the province-wide launch of a gang reduction strategy. Ted Jacob/Calgary Herald
2010: Hanson’s five year contract, due to expire, is extended to 2015.
November 22, 2010 – Calgary Police Commission Chair, Mike Shaikh, listens as Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson answers questions following the commission’s announcement that Hanson’s contract was renewed for another five years. Gavin Young / Calgary Herald
2013: His contract is extended to 2018.
September 24, 2013 – With Calgary Police Commission Chair Mike Shaikh behind him Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson comments on the announcement of his contract extension at the Calgary Police Commission offices.
February 25, 2015: Chief Hanson announces his retirement from the Calgary Police Service.
Source: Herald archives
