Dan Maluta has received his final salute. Nelson's outgoing police chief officially relinquished command Thursday afternoon in the Nelson courthouse, turning the job over to successor Wayne Holland.
"It's both wonderful and shocking at the same time," said Maluta.
"I'm very elated by the fact that I won't be woken up at 3 a.m. for an emergency, and on the other hand I am going to miss command of these fine men and women."
Maluta is retiring after almost a decade as Nelson's police chief, and 30 years on the force.
His replacement comes to Nelson from the Vancouver Police Department, where he spent nearly 30 years. Holland has served as the officer in charge of criminal intelligence for B.C. and the Yukon, an executive director of the Vancouver Police Foundation and worked with several integrated police units. Most recently, he was part of IMPACT — the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team.
Holland says he's already got a few suggestions and programs in the works for his new police department. While he declined to get more specific he added, "I think if you do scrutinize my biography and look at some of the past sections I've been in, that would give you some hints."
Maluta said there are also a few programs and bylaws he's left in the works that he's hoping Holland will "embrace," including a CCTV initiative, alternative dispute resolution, and what he calls the "controversial-but-effective grow-op bylaw."
But while Holland said he'll be looking at those initiatives, he'll want to make sure Nelsonites are comfortable with any new police programs before rolling them out.
"They'll know before something comes through, they'll be consulted," he said. "And if they don't want certain forms of policing or certain specialized programs, well, they've spoken. I'll move on to other things."
With his retirement complete, Maluta said he's planning to travel, spend more time with his grandkids and get to work building a new house.
"I think I'll be out of trouble for a while," he added. "I'll be kept busy."