Sudbury News: Sara Cunningham named new police chief

Sara Cunningham, who served as deputy chief, has been selected as Greater Sudbury’s new police chief.

Cunningham replaces Paul Pederson, who left his post in June to become executive director of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

“Deputy Chief Cunningham’s 26 years of service have equipped her well to take on this role,” Police Board Chairman Al Sizer said in a news release Friday.

“She has served with pride, distinction and excellence, and brings a wealth of experience to this position. I am very pleased that she will be our next leader.”

Cunningham has served as Deputy Operations and Administration for the past three years.

“I am incredibly honored that the council has selected me to serve as the next police chief,” Cunningham said in the statement.

“Greater Sudbury has always been my home and for 26 years, the GSPS has been part of my family. I am deeply committed to our members, their health and well-being and to policing with pride and professionalism. I am committed to advancing innovative policing practices, deploying resources effectively and continuing to engage with and learn from the diverse communities we serve.”

As deputy chief administrative officer, Cunningham led the divisions of human resources and professional development, finance, communications and information technology, and information management.

“This included ensuring inclusive and diverse recruiting strategies, preparing for the integration of Next Generation 911, and fiscal prudence as the service transitioned to a two-year budget cycle,” the statement said.

Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Arts from Laurentian University and is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management’s Police Leadership Program.

She is a recipient of the Governor General’s 20-year Exemplary Service Medal and the Order of Merit for Police Services. She is a member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Ontario Women in Law Enforcement.

“Cunningham believes in strengthening community partnerships to support people experiencing homelessness, mental health issues and addictions while addressing community safety, security and well-being,” the statement said.

“We thank former Chief Pedersen for his many years of dedicated service and continue to wish him the best in his new role at OACP,” Sizer said.

“We also want to recognize the dedicated work of Deputy Chief Hiltz and Deputy Chief Cunningham who shared the role of interim chief during this recruitment process. We welcome Sara to her new role and wish her continued success in the future.”

Cunningham will officially begin his new role on Sept. 23. Details about the swearing-in ceremony and the selection process for a new deputy police chief will be released soon, the statement said.