The Hamilton Police Service has a new deputy chief after the position was vacated in the spring, with the Police Services Board announcing the appointment of Robin Abbott, a 27-year member of the force who has spent her entire career with Hamilton Police.
Abbott was most recently the superintendent of Division One (Central Station), where she advanced community safety initiatives in Hamilton’s downtown core, including the expansion of Core Patrol and the opening of the Jackson Square police substation.
Abbott also assisted the Hamilton Police Services Board in building their 2023-2026 Strategic Plan and championed initiatives such as the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) training and the modernization of organizational policies and practices.
The position sat vacant since former deputy chief Paul Hamilton retired from the Hamilton Police Service on May 29 to become chief of the Niagara Parks Police.
The Niagara Parks Police are responsible for patrolling the 56-kilometre Niagara River corridor, including Niagara Falls.
Hamilton Police Services Board Chair Don Robertson said that the appointment followed an extensive search.
“One of the Board’s most important responsibilities is selecting senior leaders who will guide the organization and strengthen public trust,” Robertson said.
“Following an open and competitive process that attracted highly qualified diverse candidates from across Ontario and multiple levels of government, we reaffirmed what we already knew: Hamilton Police leaders are among the best in the province and are helping lead the way in policing.”
Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen also commented, framing Abbott’s promotion as a forward-looking choice.
“A promotion is about more than recognizing past performance. It’s about who we trust to help shape our future. Strong leaders make those around them better, move our mission forward and understand that leadership isn’t about authority, but how you use it,” said Bergen.
“Deputy Abbott embodies those qualities, and I’m excited about the experience, perspective and skills she brings to our leadership team.”
In her new role, Abbott will oversee “Support”, which includes crisis response, traffic safety, emergency services and facilities.
Abbott said that the Hamilton community faces “incredibly complex challenges” and that addressing them “requires us to listen, collaborate and bring the right people to the table.”
“We can’t do this work alone,” she continued.
“Community engagement and strong partnerships are the cornerstone of our success.”
Abbott holds a Professional Certificate in Leadership from Western University and has completed the Police Leadership and Executive Management Program at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business.
She also has certifications as a Critical Incident Commander, Public Order Unit Commander, and Incident Command Instructor.
Abbott is set to formally assume her new responsibilities on Sept. 27, 2026.
Based in Hamilton, he reaches hundreds of thousands of people monthly on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. He has been published in The Hamilton Spectator, Stoney Creek News, and Bay Observer. He has also been a segment host with Cable 14 Hamilton. In 2017, he received the Chancellor Full Tuition Scholarship from the University of Ottawa (BA, 2022). He has also received the Governor General’s Academic Medal. He formerly worked in a non-partisan role on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
