Deputy Chief Mark Crowell named new Waterloo regional police chief

Following a nationwide search, the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board has announced current Deputy Chief Mark Crowell as the new chief of police.

Crowellhas worked with the service for 22 years. For the last two years he'sserved as deputy chief, overseeing areas such as human resources, finances, information technology, professional development and respect in the workplace.

"I am honoured and humbled to have been selected by the board to serve as chief of police for WRPS," said chief-designate Crowell in an online statement.

"I look forward to working with the board and our members to continue to provide the most effective and innovative service to Waterloo region residents while pursuing a diverse and inclusive workplace, and further advancing safety by working with our community partners to create equitable outcomes for all residents of Waterloo region," he added.

Crowell previously served as the inspector and executive officer to the chief of police, where he oversaw the expansion of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Unit and establishment of a Public Information Unit.

Over his career, he's served in areas including: Patrol, intimate partner violence, communications and special victims with a focus on sexual assault.

Crowell's educational background includes aBachelor of Arts in Sociology and Canadian Studies from Wilfrid Laurier University, a Master of Arts in Sociology and a PhD in Sociology at the University of Waterloo.

Top priorities

The board made the official announcement during a meeting on Thursday chaired by Karen Redman.

She said there were several candidates vying for the role, but Crowell was an "easy" and unanimous decision.

"Particularly, it was chief-designateCrowell's commitment to pursuing a diverse and inclusive workforce, building a culture of respect in the workplace, and his commitment to the community partners, especially around supportive housing and addressing homelessness, addictions and mental health that made this choice an easy one to make," she said.

When asked by CBC K-W what his two top priorities as chief are, Crowellsaid operational excellence and financial and resource sustainability, among others.

"We have complex operations running 24 hours a day and we've seen some upward trend in violence in our community in relation to gun violence, robberies and so on. So working with our team for all of our frontline operations and ensuring that our investigative capacity is at its best and at its most optimal," he said.

He said he could not provide details about the budget just yet, however, he said the service is heading into budget season and hecan't shy away from the demands placed on it.

"I will be clear in saying that we are a growing community. We have pressing needs that we are striving to meet every day and it will be essential that we provide adequate and effective policing services to this region and that requires investments in community safety and public safety," he said.

Service to listen, learn and engage

Over the last few years, there have been renewed calls to dismantle systemic anti-Black racism within policing and reallocate money in the police budget to support upstream prevention programs.

When asked about his commitment to inclusion, diversity and rebuilding trust with the community, Crowellsaid this is top of mind.

"We have been re-engaging with community groups at events through meetings and so that work will continue," he added, noting the service is working on a robust engagement plan.

"We know we have a great sense of the pulse of our community, but we need to continue to listen and to learn and to engage and to ensure that no citizen of this region is left behind, that we are inclusive in everything that we do," he said.

Crowell is set toassume the role on Nov. 24.

Since July 4, Staff Supt.John Goodman has been acting police chief following Bryan Larkin's retirement.