The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service announced their selection today for Deputy Chief after an almost three month search by the Police Services Board.
Inspector Sean Sparling has 23 years of police experience and will take on the new position sometime early in the new year.
Chief Bob Keetch had the opportunity to offer input to the selection, but the final decision was made entirely by the board.
“They had a strong pool of candidates that applied for the vacancy and at the end of the day I think both the board and myself are satisfied with the selection,” said Keetch.
Sparling is currently involved in the Technological Crime Unit and also has operational experience as well as major crime experience.
“When you’re looking for someone to run operations, a well-rounded individual is critical and I think Inspector Sparling has that,” said Keetch.
The following is a news release from the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service:
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The Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board is pleased today to introduce Sean Sparling as the new Deputy Chief of Police.
Sean has 23 years of police experience with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service where he has continually demonstrated his ability as a leader and visionary.
Deputy Chief Sparling has constantly shown a commitment to his community by volunteering with over 20 organizations within Sault Ste. Marie.
He is a highly experienced officer; having worked within Uniform Patrol, Morality, Technological Crime Unit, Street Team, Major Crime, Professional Standards and Investigation Services. Sean is certified as a Municipal Manager Level III from the Ontario Municipal Management Institute.
He was responsible for the establishment of the Technological Crime Unit within the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and the development and implementation of Project ABCD; a community-based drug initiative within our local schools.
Deputy Chief Sparling was recognized as the Chamber of Commerce “Officer of the Year” in 2004 and has numerous citations and commendations within his personnel file. Sean is also an active member of the Royal Canadian Army as an Officer within the 49th Field Regiment of Sault Ste. Marie.
Deputy Chief Sparling is a graduate from the Law and Security Administration at Sault College, has attended the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy in Quantico, Virginia and has been furthering his education through Lake Superior State University.
Deputy Chief Sparling is married to his wife Diana and is the proud father of two sons.
Mr. Ian MacKenzie, the Chair of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board indicates “The Police Services Board would like to acknowledge and thank Inspector Art Pluss for the job he did as the Interim Deputy Chief of Police while we conducted an extensive search for a new Deputy. We also would like to congratulate Deputy Chief Sparling on his appointment and wish him all the success in his new role.”
Chief Keetch states that “Deputy Chief Sparling is a progressive, innovative police leader and I look forward to working closer with Sean as he assumes his new role within the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service. We share a similar philosophy in relation to community policing and the need for collaboration between community partners and neighbourhood residents to achieve increased community safety and well-being.”