Sarnia’s new police chief admitted it was a little overwhelming standing in city council chambers moments after reciting and signing his oaths of secrecy and office Tuesday afternoon.
Sarnia’s new police chief admitted it was a little overwhelming standing in city council chambers moments after reciting and signing his oaths of secrecy and office Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity and also humbled by the leadership responsibility that it represents,” said Derek Davis while members of his family and colleagues from his 25 years with Halton Regional police looking on.
His top priority, said the 48-year-old married father of three, is learning about the community.
“Each city is specific and unique,” he said. “I’m looking to lean on the experienced officers and all the folks to help bring me up to speed.”
Davis, a former police commander for the City of Burlington and with degrees and diplomas in business and public administration, said he saw a “ton of opportunity” in Sarnia when making the decision to apply for police chief after former chief Norm Hansen announced his retirement .
“There’s a lot of great characteristics that Sarnia offers – from a border town to the water part to being a center hub of an area,” he said. “When you get into bigger services, it’s very industrial in its approach, and I like, I call it the single-building police service, where you can meet people and know people and have a personal contact and a connection.”
Davis thanked Hansen for the outgoing chief’s guidance in welcoming him to the community. The new chief also thanked his family for their sacrifice and support, noting they had just moved to their new house onTuesday.
“I would not recommend putting multiple life changes onto a single time-stamp, if anyone’s wondering,” Davis said with a smile.
Police services board vice-chair Paul Wiersma, who presided over the wearing-in ceremony, noted the board had between 15 and 20 applicants for chief.
“Sarnia is a desirable place to live and to work, and this was demonstrated by the large number of applicants we’ve received. … We look forward to the leadership that (Davis) will provide to the Sarnia Police Service and we welcome him to Sarnia,” Wiersma said.
Wiersma also lauded the leadership of the outgoing Hansen, praising the former chief for encouraging more mental-health engagement, guiding the department’s involvement with the Sarnia-Lambton Alliance against Hate, continuing the strong relationship with Aamjiwnaang First Nation and increasing the number of officers.
Hansen, while also welcoming and congratulating Davis, said he’s proud of the service and what it’s accomplished.
“But this ceremony is not about me,” he said. “It’s a little about you Derek, but it’s really about tradition and moving on and carrying on for the City of Sarnia.”
Sarnia Police Association president Miro Soucek thanked the police services board for its work in the selection process, noting “it’s never an easy choice.”
Wiersma also noted the association and Aamjiwnaang First Nation were involved in the vetting process.
Davis’s summary stood out, Soucek said.
“I can tell you that Chief Davis is committed to providing policing services to the community, but he’s also committed to the fair treatment of each and every member of the organization,” he said.
Tea decision to hire an outside top cop comes on the heels of recent workplace discrimination, harassment, assault and racism complaints.
Making the transition between police services can be difficult, so the association plans to help Davis however it can, Soucek said.
“We look forward to working with Chief Davis in the near and far future to continue to build on the progress of the Sarnia Police Service, not only for its members but the community at large,” he said.
Meanwhile, recruiting new police brass isn’t over yet for the board.
The service announced Deputy Chief Owen Lockhart’s retirement via Facebook Tuesday afternoon, and notice was sent to media Wednesday about a board meeting June 8 to discuss recruiting his replacement.
The position will remain vacant until then at least, board chair and Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said.
“He will be a hard guy to replace because Owen was a great deputy for the service,” he said.