Chief Rich Johnston was sworn in as the 10th Chief of the Barrie Police Service on December 22, 2022.

Chief Johnston has been with the Barrie Police Service since 1998, serving in a variety of roles throughout the Service, including uniform patrol, Tactical Support, Operational Support, and Investigative Services.

He holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from Queen’s University, a Master’s in Leadership Studies from the University of Guelph and is currently working towards his master’s degree in Applied Criminology and Police Management from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom).

Chief Johnston joined the senior command in 2018 as an Inspector, and was appointed as Deputy Chief in 2021. In 2022, Chief Johnston received the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Excellence in Leadership Award and was inducted into the Evidence-Based Policing Hall of Fame at the Centre for Evidence-Based Crime Policy at George Mason University.