Chief Patrick R. Roche
Regimental # 482
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
Chief Patrick R. Roche began his career with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary on April 1, 1985 after graduating from the Atlantic Police Academy in Prince Edward Island.
Chief Roche has dedicated his life to serving and protecting the community through a 39-year policing career. Between December 1999 and September 2000, Chief Roche worked with the United Nations international police force in Kosovo to establish policing services in war-torn regions.
At the RNC, Chief Roche has worked extensively in Operational Patrol Services as well as with the Criminal Investigation Division. He was promoted to the rank of Inspector in February 2014, and in April 2015, was promoted to Superintendent and Commanding Officer of both the Corner Brook Region and Labrador West Region. Recognizing the importance of partnerships with the community, during his time on the west coast he forged new connections between the RNC and the Qalipu First Nation.
Chief Roche is a quiet, resolute, and humble leader. He was named Newfoundland and Labrador’s Crime Stoppers Police Officer of the Year in 2010. In 2012, he was recognized for his contributions in helping to build a caring society and country, when he received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Chief Roche’s leadership style is void of grand gestures and rooted in improving the well-being of his members and the community. He is dedicated to creating a culture of policing excellence through compassion and every day acts of service.
On August 1, 2021, Chief Roche was named Chief of Police of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
Deputy Chief Stephanie Lagace
Regimental #628
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
Deputy Chief Stephanie Lagace joined the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in 2002.
Deputy Chief Lagace graduated from the Atlantic Police Academy in PEI in 2001 with a diploma in Police Science. She also has a Certificate in Legal Issues in Policing, Dalhousie University and a Certificate in Criminology, from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Deputy Chief Lagace has worked in various areas of the RNC within Operational Patrol Services Division and Criminal Investigation Division in both the Labrador West Region and Northeast Avalon Region. She has been assigned to Child Abuse Sexual Assault Unit, Drug Investigative Unit and Major Crime Unit. She has also served as the Inspector in charge of Crimes Against Persons Section.
Deputy Chief Lagace was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2012 and commissioned to the rank of Inspector in 2021.
Deputy Chief Lagace is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association Outstanding Team Performance, Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement Award for Excellence in Policing, and Newfoundland and Labrador Crime Stoppers Police Officer of the Year.
Deputy Chief Lagace was named Deputy Chief March 18, 2022.
Deputy Chief Colin J. McNeil
Regimental # 617
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
Deputy Chief Colin McNeil joined the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in 1994 and worked until 1996. Previous to being rehired with the RNC in 2002, he was a police officer with the Halifax Regional Police Patrol Services Division, Halifax, Nova Scotia from 1996 to 2002.
Deputy Chief McNeil graduated from the Atlantic Police Academy in PEI in 1994 with a diploma in Police Science. Deputy Chief McNeil also holds a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Police Studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and completed the RNC Supervisory Leadership Program with Gardner School of Business at Memorial.
Deputy Chief McNeil was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2015 and commissioned to the rank of Inspector in 2020.
Deputy Chief McNeil has worked in various areas of the RNC within Operational Patrol Services Division and the Criminal Investigation Division in the Northeast Avalon Region. He has served in the General Investigation Unit, Child Abuse Sexual Assault Unit, Investigative Interviewing and Polygraph Unit, Intelligence and Organized Crime Section – Criminal Intelligence Unit, Media Relations and the Major Crime Unit. As an Inspector, he has served as Officer in Charge of the Police Education and Training Division, Criminal Investigation Division – Crimes Against Persons Section, Professional Standards and Special Services Section. He has also served on the Tactics and Rescue Unit from 2005 until 2016.
Deputy Chief McNeil is a recipient of the 20 year Police Exemplary Service Medal.
Deputy Chief McNeil is an active member of his community having held multiple volunteer positions and coaching positions.
Deputy Chief McNeil was named Deputy Chief March 18, 2022.