Today marks the first day on the job for Sault Ste. Marie's new police chief.
Hugh Stevenson comes to the Soo with more than 30 years of policing and an impressive list of past job titles, including his most recent post as the director of OPP's Criminal Intelligence Service.
"It's an incredible honour and opportunity both to be able to be given the opportunity to lead this service and this community in terms of public safety and protection and prevention." said Stevenson.
While Chief Stevenson's resume is extensive, members of the Police Services Board say it was his knowledge of issues facing the Sault that set him apart from other candidates.
Christian Provenzano is the Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie
"He spoke to the Police Services Board from his perspective about what he's seen about the opioid challenge across Ontario and how he thinks we can deal with and address different drug challenges in the community." said Provenzano.
The new chief says the drug issue in Sault Ste. Marie is on the short list of priorities he hopes to address early in his tenure.
But he says there are a number of goals he hopes to achieve as the leader of the city's police service.
"We know that fentanyl is a function of organized crime. And I can tell you, once I get established with my team, and the men and women of this police service, there will be a very directed approach to drug distribution in this community, drug sales in this community. If you can manage your drug distribution issues in a community. You can start to now look at the spinoffs that occur as a result of that." said Stevenson.
He will officially be sworn into his new position at the next city council meeting on June 25th.
