Leading Beyond Your Presence

Chief Superintendent Robert M. Bruce has been a member of the Ontario Provincial Police since 1982. Over the course of his 33-year career, he has integrated and inspired innovation, creativity, leadership, accountability and vision to members under his command, as well as in his personal life as a coach and mentor. Chief Bruce has progressively moved through the command structure, working tirelessly throughout his career to ingrain and embed a culture of pride, selflessness, a standard of excellence, bone-deep dedication to duty, serving with significance and commitment to going above and beyond the expected. As the former Commander of the Field Support Bureau, Chief Bruce oversaw all major events and provincial protests for the OPP, such as G-8 and the Pan Am Games. He was responsible for leading highly skilled units, such as Tactics and Rescue, Emergency Response Team, Underwater Search and Recovery, Explosive Disposal, Aviation Services, Canine, Incident Command and UCRT (Urban Search and Rescue, Chemical, Biological, radiological, Nuclear Response Team). A proven leader, he has served as the Commander of Security Bureau, which is directly responsible for ensuring the safety and security of high-ranking foreign and domestic government officials, including the premier and lieutenant governor of Ontario. He has also served as the director of the Provincial Police Academy on two separate occasions, where his revolutionary thinking and commitment to the success of others developed cutting-edge training and methodologies which transformed the Academy into a centre of policing excellence. Chief Bruce previously served as a member of the OPP hostage rescue team, otherwise known as the Tactics and Rescue Unit, and was an instructor at the Ontario Police College. He served as a dedicated frontline member at both Winchester and London detachments. Chief Bruce also held the following positions with professionalism, pride and respect: OPP Funeral Commander, Incident Commander and Critical Incident Commander. Chief Bruce's passion, enthusiasm and energy are contagious, giving him the unique ability to design and develop innovative and creative ways to inspire individuals or teams to exceed expectations and go beyond any perceived limits they may have to reach their goals. Chief Bruce has earned several awards and accolades throughout his career, which have recognized his pride, passion, professionalism, sacrifice, courage, commitment, creativity, innovation and leadership in serving the men and women of the OPP and the people of Ontario. Through his career and life experiences, Chief Bruce has learned how important discipline, accountability, self-awareness, fitness, mission focus and team skills are in stressful and high-risk situations. Being comfortable with uncomfortable and leading in the midst of chaos are paramount characteristics and hallmarks in getting people and organizations to perform at their peak. Chief Bruce has the proven ability to turn those words into action and bring out the very best in individuals, teams and organizations. Today, retired Chief Bruce is a sought-after speaker sharing his experience and expertise.