Mark Saunders (police chief)

Mark Saunders
Chief of the Toronto Police Service
Incumbent
Assumed office
26 April 2015
Preceded by Bill Blair
Personal details
Born Mark Saunders
1962 (age 52–53)
London, England
Nationality Canadian
Children 4
Residence Toronto
Occupation Police Chief
Profession police officer

Mark Saunders (born 1962), is the current Chief of the Toronto Police Service. He was chosen on April 17, 2015 to succeed Bill Blair following Blair's retirement the following week.[1] Saunders is the first Black person to lead Toronto's police service and reportedly beat out Deputy Chief Peter Sloly for the position.[1] He is second Black person to head a police force in Canada, Devon Clunis of the Winnipeg Police Service is the first in 2012.

Early life

Saunders was born in England to Jamaican parents and was a young boy when his family moved to Canada.[2]

Toronto Police Service

Saunders began his policing career after graduating from high school and has served with the Toronto Police for 32 years, rising to the position of Deputy Chief in charge of in charge of Specialized Operations Command, before being appointed Chief in 2015. During his career, he has had assignments with Professional Standards, Urban Street Gang Unit, Intelligence Division, Drug Squad, Community Safety Command, Emergency Task Force and served as the Unit Commander of the Homicide Squad.[3]

Education

Saunders has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Justice Studies from University of Guelph-Humber (completed in 2015).[3]

Personal life

Saunders is a father of four[4] and lives in Etobicoke.

Honours

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Mark Saunders named Toronto’s next police chief". Toronto Star. April 19, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Two deputies in spotlight in search for a diverse police chief". Toronto Star. March 27, 2015. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/bios/saunders.php
  4. ↑ http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/2015/04/20/mark-saunders-named-torontos-next-police-chief.html