Features Dispatches
Dispatches: July/August 2023

Photo credit: Ontario Provincial Police

It was with heavy hearts that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) announced the death of 42-year-old Sgt. Eric Mueller. Sgt. Mueller was shot and killed in the line of duty while attending a disturbance call in Bourget, Ont. He is remembered as a coach, a mentor, and someone who everyone looked up to. OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said Mueller was an exemplary officer who had 21 years of service.

Photo credit: London Police Service

The London Police Services Board has announced the appointment of Thai Truong as London’s next Chief of Police, effective June 1. Chief Truong joins the London Police Service with more than two decades of policing experience, including as a commander in all four branches within York Regional Police: Support, Investigations, Administrative and Operations. He has also been responsible for leading various units including organized crime and drug enforcement, human trafficking, intimate partner violence, homicide, internet child exploitation and special victims’ units.

Photo credit: London Police Service

London Police Service Supt. Paul Bastien has been appointed to Deputy Chief of Police, effective May 28. Deputy Chief Bastien began his policing career in 1997, as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police posted to the Prince George Detachment in northern British Columbia. In 2001, he returned to Southwestern Ontario to join the London Police Service. In 2006, he was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, where he would go on to spend almost half of his 25-year career in various capacities, most recently as Detective Inspector in charge of the investigative services branch overseeing the major crime section, sexual assault and child abuse section, general investigations section, and the guns and gangs section.

Photo credit: South Simcoe Police Service

Insp. Sheryl Sutton has been selected as the new Deputy Chief of the South Simcoe Police Service. Sutton has served in a wide variety of leadership and mentorship roles during her 34-year policing career. She was promoted to the rank of Inspector in 2021 and has commanded many diverse areas including patrol operations, support services, and investigative services.

Photo credit: Ontario Provincial Police

The Ontario Provincial Police has appointed Kari Dart to the position of Deputy Commissioner, Culture and Strategy Services. She stated, “I look forward to collaborating with our members and communities in building the OPP’s vision, mission and values through an inclusive, strategic and innovative lens.”

Photo credit: Greater Sudbury Police Service

Insp. Natalie Hiltz is the new Deputy Chief of Police for the Greater Sudbury Police Service (GSPS). She joins the service in her 28th year of policing after proudly serving the Peel Regional Police Service, most recently as Inspector and officer in charge of Community Safety and Well-Being Services. She started with GSPS on June 5.

Photo credit: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Mark Flynn has been promoted to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Federal Policing for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Photo credit: Waterloo Regional Police Service

The Waterloo Regional Police Services Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Supt. Eugene Fenton and Supt. Jen Davis as the new Deputy Chiefs of Police for the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS). Deputy Chief Fenton is a 22-year-member of the Waterloo Regional Police Service. Throughout his career, he has served in a number of different positions, including frontline patrol, general investigations, homicide, criminal intelligence, professional standards and, most recently, as the superintendent of the investigative services division. Deputy Chief Davis is a 24-year-member of WRPS. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of areas, including frontline patrol, general investigations, intimate partner violence, homicide, strategic services, human resources, professional standards, training and education, and, most recently, as the superintendent of professional development.

Photo credit: York Regional Police

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) has announced that Jim MacSween, Chief of York Regional Police, will serve as the association’s president for 2023-2024. Chief MacSween was sworn in during the OACP’s annual general meeting on June 14. Chief MacSween has been a member of York Regional Police since 1989. Over his 32-year career, he has served in uniform patrol, criminal investigations, the hold-up unit, and community services. As Chief of York Regional Police, he is responsible for 2,300 employees, an operating and capital budget of $390 million, and community safety for 1.2 million citizens.

PROMOTIONS, RETIREMENTS, RECOGNITION • If you have an officer in your agency recently promoted or retiring or an individual you wish to have recognized (major award or recently deceased) you can let Blue Line magazine know by emailing: bschroeder@annexbusinessmedia.com.