Hanford Site Appoints New Patrol Chief

RICHLAND, Wash. – The EM Richland Operations Office (RL) and contractor Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS) have appointed a new chief of Hanford Patrol, carrying on a tradition of experienced leadership for the protective force that safeguards the Hanford Site.

The new chief, Lorin Cyr, has been with Hanford Patrol since 1985 and spent much of his tenure as the deputy chief of operations. Shortly after arriving, he was selected as a K-9 officer, continuing his passion for working with dogs that started with his time as a K-9 handler in the U.S. Army.

Cyr helped write training requirements, and assisted with the certification of explosive-detection K-9 teams in the state of Washington. He has also been a member of Hanford Patrol’s tactical response team, managed the Hanford Patrol Operations Center and was most recently the deputy chief of training and support.

“Each chief of Hanford Patrol must bring a vast knowledge of the entire Hanford Site, including its buildings, facilities and ongoing mission activities,” said Brian Stickney, RL’s deputy manager and chief operating officer. “I’m confident that Lorin Cyr will continue exercising strong leadership of our highly trained protective force that oversees all materials and assets on the Hanford Site.”

During his 37 years of service, Cyr has seen the Hanford Site transition from defense production to cleanup operations and ultimately waste vitrification, and witnessed many developments along the way.

“Hanford Patrol was the first in the DOE complex to establish a K-9 program, traffic program and an elite force special response team,” Cyr said. “It was also the first to have resources like helicopters and boats. In that same tradition, I look forward to introducing new technology to assist current officers, such as mobile data terminals or computer-aided dispatch.”

Hanford Patrol’s last chief, Casey De Groof, had been at the helm since 2016 and was promoted to the HMIS director of safeguards and security. In addition, former Hanford Patrol Deputy Chief Steven Meyer is the new director of emergency management and preparedness for the Hanford Site. These organizational changes keep knowledgeable staff in critical roles to protect Hanford workers and support the One Hanford mission, a collaborative effort across the site that includes federal and contractor employees. 

“I have the utmost confidence Chief Cyr will continue to provide excellent leadership for the Hanford Patrol team and the protection of the people and assets at Hanford,” said De Groof.