As Sarnia police Chief Derek Davis outlined the early stages of the career of newly appointed Insp. Tristen Vosburg, he paused.
As Sarnia police Chief Derek Davis outlined the early stages of the career of newly appointed Insp. Tristen Vosburg, he paused.
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Davis noted after taking a one-year hiatus to go back to university, Vosburg returned as a front-line officer.
“With… the Halton Regional Police Service,” he said, pausing as many in the room Thursday at Sarnia police headquarters laughed. “You can’t make that up.”
With several former Halton police officers and staff following Davis to Sarnia since his hiring as chief in 2022, a joke about the connection between the two communities was also said by Mike Van Sickle during his swearing-in as deputy chief in October.
“It must be said here in this room: I am not from Halton,” the lifelong Sarnia resident said at the time.
Neither is Vosburg, who returned home to Sarnia in 2006. There he rose up the ranks to staff sergeant, a title he will continue to fill until he takes over as inspector on Jan. 1.
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“Thank you very much. I appreciate it. I’m looking forward to the new year and new challenges,” he said after Davis congratulated him.
Vosburg’s promotion was one of several changes noted during Thursday’s police board meeting. Anne Marie Gillis, a Sarnia city councillor, is taking over a spot on the board previously filled by Coun. George Vandenberg.
Gillis, who was previously in the same role about two decades ago, and Coun. Chrissy McRoberts is council’s voice on the board until 2026.
“So congrats to both of them,” chairperson Paul Wiersma said, noting Mayor Mike Bradley, who stepped away in 2023, retains the right to return in McRoberts’ place if he wants to.
Ron Hansen, the force’s other deputy chief, outlined a busy two months of crime including an alleged armed robbery linked to a stolen pickup truck, guns and a bulletproof vest with an old Sarnia police crest sewn to it seized, new ugly loads in an historical child sex assault case, a sexual assault on Kathleen Avenue, and the fatal stabbing of a Lambton College international student.
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Davis reiterated last week they don’t believe race was a factor in the slaying and Hansen said Thursday it’s still their belief it’s not hate-based. He also noted there was talk of a protest or a vigil being organized last week for the 22-year-old student, Gurasis Singh, but it was postponed as those close to him want to wait and find out more about what happened.
“But regardless it’s an unfortunate loss of life,” Hansen said.
Kelly Ash, the board’s vice-chairperson, called what happened on Kathleen Avenue and the homicide on Queen Street horrific incidents, but credited police with quickly solving both cases.
“Great job,” she said.
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