Laurier degree supports Kyle Johnstone’s path to chief of Aylmer Police Service

July 14, 2025

For Kyle Johnstone (BA ’24), community policing has never been a job — it’s a calling.

“In high school I did a co-op placement with the St. Thomas police and that solidified it,” says Johnstone. “I knew not only that I wanted to be a police officer, but that I wanted to be a police officer in St. Thomas.”

Determined to stay local, Johnstone attended the Fanshawe College Police Foundations program in London and wasted no time in applying to St. Thomas Police Service upon graduation. He was hired quickly, and what followed was a distinguished 17-year tenure in the community he grew up in.

Johnstone’s familiarity with the region and its residents helped him establish a sense of trust and reliability, key pillars of effective community policing.

“Having relationships with people outside of policing was an advantage,” says Johnstone. “There were many times when I was able to draw on that to help achieve successful outcomes. And when people ask for you by name, when they want to know, ‘When is Kyle working again?’ — that’s the icing on the cake.”

Despite his deep connection to St. Thomas, Johnstone eventually moved on — but only as far as Aylmer, just 20 minutes away. He had never imagined leaving St. Thomas, but advancement opportunities came calling and he accepted a leadership role. Now, as chief of Aylmer Police Service, he finds himself in a smaller but similarly tight-knit community, overseeing a department that is undergoing rapid modernization.

“I’m kind of living the same thing on a smaller scale,” he says. “Aylmer has about 9,000 people and I went to school here for a couple of years, so there are a lot of familiar faces. Community policing is just a bigger part of the job here, and I love it.”

Throughout his career, Johnstone has remained dedicated to professional growth. Recognizing the increasing importance of higher education in law enforcement leadership, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Policing at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus. The decision was partly inspired by one of his mentors and colleague at the time, Marc Roskamp, chief of St. Thomas Police Service, who had completed the same program.

“In today’s policing world, to move into administration, a degree is all but required,” says Johnstone. “It wasn’t something I thought about when I was younger — I just wanted to get out there and be a police officer. But later, I saw the value of continuing education in taking my career to the next level.”

Although Laurier’s policing program is online, the proximity of the university’s Brantford campus was another deciding factor.

“You have so many options online, but none of them are tangible,” he says. “For me, Laurier was tangible. I’ve been on the campus before and that local connection made it feel real.”

Balancing studies with the demands of law enforcement leadership was no small feat. While serving as deputy chief in Aylmer, Johnstone completed his bachelor’s degree, often sacrificing sleep to make it work.

“Somehow, I got through it,” he says with a laugh. “I knew if I put it off, it would be hard to pick up again. My wife, who’s also a police officer, was instrumental in balancing things at home with our kids. I’d get through my coursework between 10 p.m. and midnight with a cup of coffee, and that’s how I did it.”

Since stepping into his role as chief in January 2025, Johnstone has been focused on modernization and building a strong leadership team. One of his biggest accomplishments so far has been recruiting a deputy who shares his vision, ensuring the department moves forward in the right direction.

“The most important thing is surrounding yourself with good people,” he says. “Being the captain of a team means nothing if you don’t have the right players.”

As for what’s next, Johnstone is committed to his current role, but he’s not ruling out further education. The idea of pursuing a master’s degree at Laurier is already on his radar.

“I need a break first,” he admits. “I want to go on vacation without writing a paper at the airport. But maybe in the fall, I’ll start looking into the next step.”

For now, Johnstone remains focused on serving his community, shaping the next generation of officers and ensuring that Aylmer Police Service continues to evolve.

Discover more Laurier Brantford alumni who are making a difference.