Niagara Regional Police has named its new chief: Jeff McGuire.

Right now, McGuire is Acting Deputy Chief of Toronto Police.  He is a 34-year veteran of the force, having joined as a cadet in 1977.

Chief-designate McGuire is a graduate of the FBI National Academy where he was elected valedictorian.

McGuire has twice been honoured by the Governor General, having been invested as a Member of the Order of Merit of Police Forces & awarded the Police Exemplary Service Medal & Bar.

McGuire tells 610 CKTB News it's "truly an honour" to get the job.

He'll take over as chief June 18th.  McGuire admits there's always a challenge when someone comes in from outside an organization.  He isn't saying it will be all perfect & rosy, but McGuire describes himself as an outgoing, approachable guy who it won't take long for the community or police force to get to know.

McGuire says he spends a lot of time in the community & walked the beat when he was in charge of 51 Division in Toronto. He says one of his primary goals in Niagara is to build positive relationships with communities in all corners of the region.

Beyond the "getting to know you" pains that come with a new boss, Chief-designate McGuire flags policing costs & police facilities as challenges in his new job.

But McGuire prefers to think of those challenges as opportunities, though he admits it "sounds a little a corny".  He says it's a chance to get minds working together, fix problems & further develop things that are working well

Jeff McGuire will replace Wendy Southall as Chief of Niagara Regional Police.  Southall retired from the post at the end of March after 7 years on the job.  She was the force's first civilian chief.