(Oakville)  - Police Services Board Chair, Bob Maich, announced today that Stephen J. Tanner, currently the Chief of Police of the Kingston Police Service, will succeed Chief Gary Crowell who retired June 2, 2012.
 
Chief Designate Tanner was earlier this month elected President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) for a one year term.  The OACP currently comprises more than 1,500 police leaders representing the RCMP, the OPP, First Nations, and Municipal Police Services in Ontario.
 
He added:  “Chief Designate Tanner takes office on September 1, 2012.  On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to confirm that Deputy Chief Andrew Fletcher will continue as Acting Chief during this transition period supported by Deputy Chief Bob Percy, Acting Deputy Chief Marty Power and all members of the Halton Police team.”
 
Chief Designate Tanner has an extensive record of leadership as Chief of Police in Kingston since November 2008, and Belleville Chief from January 2002 to November 2008.  Steve Tanner is no stranger to the Halton Region having been born and raised in Oakville.
 
Following his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982 (Science & Psychology) from the University of Guelph, Steve Tanner joined the Halton Regional Police Service as a Constable in Burlington.
 
Over his formative 16 years with Halton Police, his career progressed through a variety of operational and supervisory responsibilities leading to his promotion to Acting Staff Sergeant prior to his selection as the Deputy Chief of Police of the Guelph Police Service.  In March 2000, he was selected as Deputy Chief for the Belleville Police Service and in January 2002 he was appointed as their Chief.  In November 2008 he was appointed as Chief of Police of the Kingston Police Service.
 
His credentials include:  Officer of the Order of Merit (2012); Masters of Public Administration – University of Western Ontario (2001); and Certified Municipal Manager (CMM III).
 
“The Board is particularly impressed with Chief Designate Tanner’s leadership experience, both operational and administrative, his commitment to training and development, and his outstanding record in working effectively with diverse stakeholders and communities”, said Board Chair Maich.
 
Chief Designate Tanner was quoted as saying “It is a tremendous opportunity and a very exciting time for me to be returning to the Halton Regional Police Service as the Chief of Police.”   “The Halton Regional Police and the Region of Halton truly are world class - and it is truly a tremendous honour and privilege to have been selected as the next Chief of Police.”
 
“I am very much looking forward to returning to this great organization, where I spent my first 16 years in the policing profession, and to now being in the position to make critical decisions and positive changes for the organization and for the communities that we serve.  We will work closely with the communities that we serve to best meet their needs for service, with our ultimate goal being public safety and security.”
 
He went on to say: “This is also very much an opportunity to "return home", having been born and raised in Oakville and graduating from then G.E. Perdue High School.”
 
Tanner also committed to working closely with the Halton Regional Police Services Board and Chair Bob Maich, with the members of the senior command team and the Service, the many community partners as well as both of the Police Associations as we move the organization forward in the years ahead. “There are great things to be achieved through teamwork and working together” he stated 
 
“I would like to thank Chair Maich, and the Police Services Board for their faith in me and for selecting me for this critical senior leadership role.  It will be a great honour to serve in this capacity, and to serve the citizens of Halton Region in the years ahead” said Tanner.
 
Board Chair Bob Maich stated that:  “The Board and I are confident that Steve Tanner will maintain and build upon the talents of the Halton Regional Police team, and the legacy of excellence and integrity that Chief Gary Crowell and his predecessors established for the citizens of Halton.”
 
The Halton Regional Police Services Board is the governing body for the Halton Regional Police Service and is comprised of seven members.  The provincial appointees are: Bob Maich, Board Chair; Andrew Tyrrell, and Marion Yee; Randy Hammell, Vice-Chair, a citizen appointee made by Regional Council; Mayor Rob Burton, Regional Councillor and Mayor of Oakville; Rick Craven, Regional and Burlington Councillor; and Jeff Knoll, Regional and Oakville Councillor.
 

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