The head of Toronto’s homicide squad said it should come as no surprise that his longtime colleague Supt. Ron Taverner has been appointed commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.

Acting Insp. Hank Idsinga echoed sentiments shared by the police community and leaders of various community agencies, lauding Taverner as an advocate for building relationships with marginalized communities.

“It’s a big loss for us, but he’s put in a lot of years,” Idsinga said of Taverner’s departure after five decades serving in various divisions and units, including intelligence, organized crime enforcement, outlaw motorcycle gangs and community policing. “He has definitely made things better for us. He’s going to be an asset for the OPP.”

Taverner’s appointment was announced Thursday by Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. He will assume his role as Ontario’s top cop, Dec. 17. He replaces Vince Hawkes, who recently retired after over four years at the helm.

“With over 50 years’ experience, Ron brings (with him) the support of front-line officers, community leaders and our respected law enforcement professionals,” Jones said. “We will be well served by an officer who has dedicated his life to making our communities a safer place to live.”

Idsinga said Taverner’s leadership skills prepare him for the task of managing the big challenge of leading the OPP, which consists of more than 6,000 uniformed officers and nearly 3,000 civilian members.

“I don’t think his appointment comes as a surprise at all,” Idsinga said. “Toronto produces some of the best police leaders.”

The careers of both lawmen have intertwined over the years, with Taverner serving as a mentor and senior officer throughout various junctures in Idsinga’s own move up the ranks.

“He was the unit commander of 51 Division, when I first got promoted to sergeant, and he brought me to 51 Division,” Idsinga said.

Idsinga recalls Taverner answering the call for support on many occasions during murder investigations in 23 Division, where Taverner served as unit commander.

“Almost every time we go there, no matter when, the first person you end up seeing is Ron,” Idsinga said. “He’ll bend over backwards to get the job done and get you whatever you need. He literally will run around moving furniture for us.”

Taverner, unit commander at 23, 12 and 31 Divisions, is a longtime friend of the Ford family. His north Etobicoke police division borders the Fords’ home.

Taverner, who received the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, in 2009, was appointed by cabinet, based on the unanimous recommendation of a selection committee comprised exclusively of members of the Ontario Public Service and supported by Odgers Berndtson, an executive search firm.

The government announcement mentions Taverner’s involvement with numerous community agencies, such as Albion Neighbourhood Services and Truth 15 Community Support.

He was praised by Althea Martin Risden, director, health promotion, Rexdale Community Health Centre (RCHC), one of the community agencies Taverner supported during his tenure.

“Superintendent Ron Taverner has been a great partner and leader in the Rexdale Community,” Martin Risden said. “He has given of his time to many initiatives one such being the Healthy Kids Community Challenge Rexdale, a program of RCHC, as a community champion, and specifically supported the development of Hockey in Rexdale, which was an initiative to teach kids to skate.”

Not everyone welcomed news of his appointment. The reaction from Desmond Cole and Andray Domise, both of whom are Black Toronto-based writers, was less warm.

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Cole criticized the police division’s treatment of Black people in the community. He said the close relationship between Premier Doug Ford’s family and Taverner “needs to be scrutinized.”

Domise, who lived in 23 Division and ran an unsuccessful 2014 council bid in that ward, said being harassed by police was “the daily reality of living in Rexdale,” where “get-tough policing” is commonplace. Domise has attended numerous community meetings attended by Taverner.

“Very involved and co-operation with (the community) are two different things,” Domise said of Taverner’s work.