The City of Greater Sudbury has a new police chief, former Deputy Chief Sara Cunningham, with her appointment becoming official yesterday.
Board chair Al Sizer says Deputy Chief Cunningham’s 26 years with the service ensures she is well-equipped to fill the position, having served as both the Operations and Administrative Deputy over the past three years.
Cunningham says she is honoured to serve in Greater Sudbury, which has always been home.
She adds she is committed to the members, their health and wellness while also advancing innovative policing practices, efficiently deploying resources and continuing to engage with and learn from the diverse communities they serve.
She replaces former Chief Paul Pedersen who is now the executive director of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.
Officials share in her most recent assignment as Deputy Chief of Administration, Cunningham directed the divisions of Human Resources and Professional Development, Finance, Communication and Information Technology, and Information Management. This included ensuring inclusive and diverse recruitment strategies, the preparation for the integration of Next Generation 9-1-1, and fiscal prudence through transitioning the Service to a two-year budget cycle.
Chief-designate Chief Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Laurentian
University and is a graduate of the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management Police Leadership Program.
She is the recipient of the Governor General Exemplary Service 20-year medal and the Order of Merit of 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.
