The North Bay Police Service is one step closer to a full roster following the swearing-in of its newest constable, a hometown recruit who brings a unique community-focused perspective to the role. The addition of the new officer leaves the service with only a single vacancy to fill. Bringing hometown roots to the force Const. Mackenzie Mills was officially sworn in on July 8. Raised in North Bay, she is breaking new ground for her family as the first member to enter a career in law enforcement, as her parents are self-employed and her brother works in the family business. Following her swearing-in, she shared her family’s enthusiasm about serving her community with CTV News. “It’s exciting and they’re an awesome support. It’ll be fun to be able to serve them as well as part of my community,” she said. The 33-year-old began her career with the service in 2025 as a part-time special constable before accepting a position as a Recruit Cadet-in-Training in March. She completed the Police Foundations Program at Canadore College in 2014 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Criminal Justice from Nipissing University in 2017. Community service background shapes perspective Before joining the ranks, Mills worked with the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario and the Nipissing District Housing Corporation in community-focused roles. She also volunteered at The Gathering Place soup kitchen assisting in providing hot meals for vulnerable, low-income people. Mills said this experience provides a vital viewpoint. “It gives me a different perspective. When you can kind of see things from the other side, it helps … to remind you that we’re all human, right?” she said. Mills also expressed ambitions for future investigative work. Acting Deputy Chief Jeff Warner also highlighted the value of such community involvement. “Having a basis when you were not an officer in community involvement really does strengthen their policing career,” he said. One recruit away from full strength The successful recruitment brings the total number of sworn police officers to 118, complemented by 97 civilians, leaving the agency just one recruit shy of its full authorized roster. Warner said though that the recruitment process is continuing. “We have one more recruit that we are actively screening applications now and we are interviewing people,” he said. “We’re hoping to have somebody at the fall intake, which is in September at the Ontario Police College.” Start of career of community service As Mills prepares for her first day of duty and getting behind the wheel of a cruiser, she said she is looking forward to the community interaction. “I know I’ll enjoy being out on the road. I will enjoy just being out and interacting with people in the community,” said Mills.
