Toronto Police Service (TPS) Chief Superintendent Kelly Skinner has always been a peacekeeper.
As a child, the University of Guelph-Humber Justice and Public Safety alum (class of 2013) may not have always known she wanted to become a police officer, but she was committed to making sure her peers were alright, that no child played alone, that everyone felt involved, and that all the kids got along.
Presently, Ch Supt. Skinner has worked her way up the ranks of TPS for 27 years, becoming the first Black woman to be promoted to the rank of Staff Superintendent within the service. Though she is a trailblazer for diversity as someone who uplifts others, she grew up with a lack of representation in policing; there weren’t many Black female officers to look up to. But that changed when she met her mentor, TPS Sergeant Terry James (then detective, now retired), who inspired her interest in policing as a teen.
“As you climb [in an organization], you look back and work on lifting others,” Ch. Supt. Skinner said, who strives to be a role model and mentor just as Sgt. James was for her, and still is 30 years later.
A journey to breaking barriers
In high school, Ch Supt. Skinner met Sgt. James, the first Black female to serve in TPS with full duties in the 1980s, who at that time served as a recruiting officer with the service. Ch Supt. Skinner often drove around her younger sister and friend, whose mother is Sgt. James. On the cusp of graduating high school, she invited Ch Supt. Skinner in for tea and asked her if she had ever thought about her future ambitions, if she had considered policing.
“And that question, 30 years ago, absolutely changed the trajectory of my life,” Ch Supt. Skinner said.
Her career with TPS began in the Jane and Finch community at 31 Division, a community that Ch Supt. Skinner said she holds close to her heart. Here, she learned a great deal about community policing and was one of the only two Black females at the station.
“Looking back, I can see that that's where I started to learn the importance of mentorship, representation, and having caring adults in your life,” she said, noting the complex relationship between the Black community and police.
Ch Supt. Skinner has had a remarkable career with TPS, working in various units. This included investigations within the major crime unit, intelligence, guns and gangs’ major project section, and more. She is an expert in large-scale wiretap investigations, and has even taught a wiretap course for the province of Ontario. Ch Supt. Skinner also worked with members of the judiciary to create search warrant language that previously hadn’t existed in the Criminal Code, with the rapid development of new communication technology. Being part of innovation was a facet of her job she greatly enjoyed.
As she gained experience in different areas, she worked in various divisions, and eventually returned to 31 Division once she was promoted to Sergeant. She worked at a project liaison office guiding electronic surveillance, reviewing units’ work in cell phone and vehicle tracking, wiretaps, etc., and provided feedback. From there, she pivoted to the administrative and leadership side of policing, serving as executive officer for (now) Chief Myron Demkiw, then for (now retired) Chief James Ramer. But she missed being in uniform and serving communities on the ground.
At this point in her career, she’s where “her heart is now,” back in uniform as the Chief Superintendent in charge of eight uniformed divisions in Toronto’s East End, exemplifying her impact in the community as a mentor and as a champion for equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Ch Supt. Skinner feels there’s a lot she could do to “support our members and support our community.”
Opening doors of success for others
As a Black woman in the service, Ch Supt. Skinner is a shining example of Black excellence, paving the way for those who come after her. She cites Sgt. James as a major inspiration because representation counts. Sgt. James also introduced Ch Supt. Skinner to the Association of Black Law Enforcers (A.B.L.E.).
In February 2025 during Black History Month, Ch Supt. Skinner was honoured by TPS with a Trailblazer Award. For Ch. Supt. Skinner, accepting this award was about more than receiving a prize; it was an opportunity to show young Black girls, and anyone who feels unrepresented, that they too can chase their dreams.
“It's about showing everybody that when you see it, you can do it,” she said, about the importance of being a role model and the greater responsibility that comes with that. “[My husband said] you're the one who told me about representation, how having that connection with Terry [James] allowed you to see that [policing] is for you, when that is not something you ever thought about… You have a greater responsibility.”
Elevating her knowledge
To create ripples of change, Ch Supt. Skinner understood that impactful direction had to start with her leadership. When she stepped into management roles within the service, she sought to broaden her knowledge. Having already attended college, she decided to pursue a university degree, joining a friend from the service, who she had graduated police college with. Together, they continued their studies at U of GH in the Justice and Public Safety program.
At Guelph-Humber, her knowledge of justice was deepened from an academic perspective. In this program geared towards working professionals, Ch Supt. Skinner learned about systemic issues, policy development, evidence-based policing, and more. The program helped her think more critically and strategically.
“These are skills I use every single day in my role,” she said.
And to this day, Ch Supt. Skinner maintains a special tie with the University. In March 2025, Ch Supt. Skinner was also named a Woman of Distinction at the University of Guelph-Humber for her ability to inspire through her leadership and for being a visionary for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in police leadership.
Leading in and out of uniform
Those skillsets benefit various areas of Ch Supt. Skinner’s life. For instance, she volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto, serving as a board member. The non-profit organization serves to empower youth through mentorship, especially those who face barriers and come from underserved backgrounds.
Mentoring youth is a key part to preventing crime because it addresses root causes. When youth have an adult like Ch Supt. Skinner they could confide in, they receive guidance and a non-judgemental shoulder to lean on.
“It's easy to put aside your time to help because I think we're changing the world. We're changing Toronto. We're changing the youth who might not have had access to that caring adult in their life, because not everyone does. And I saw that firsthand,” she said.
Her true #1 job
When she’s not working or uplifting others, you might find Ch Supt. Skinner reading (she called herself a “sponge” for knowledge), listening to music of all genres, or dancing (she’s even taught ballroom). Above all, Ch Supt. Skinner said her most important job is being a mom to her son Eli.
“Don’t forget to dream. Remember the people you love and the things you love to do, and ensure they stay priorities. Find the time to do that because you matter. And I think it helps you be a better leader when people see you prioritize your mental, physical, spiritual and social health, and that you haven't given up your [true] self, they know that they can do the same,” she said.
To learn more about the Justice and Public Safety program, click here.