Sudbury's Dan Markiewich appointed acting chief of police

Sudbury Police Inspector Dan Markiewich has been appointed acting chief of police, following the departure of Chief Frank Elsner.

Elsner will leave Sudbury in mid-December to assume the position of Chief Constable with the Victoria Police Department in British Columbia.

Markiewich comes well equipped to assume the role with more than 30 years in policing, Police Services Board chair Ron Dupuis said.

Markiewich has been an inspector since April 1998. He has served as divisional commander of the Uniform Division, Criminal Investigations Division, as well as Organizational Support. He is in charge of Emergency Operations.

"This is one of the greatest days of my career, second only to the day that I was sworn in as a police officer," Markiewich said. "I'm very excited ... and very honoured that the board is giving me this opportunity."

The appointment means Markiewich will not be able to apply to be the new chief — something he said he was informed of before accepting the role as acting chief.

Dupuis said selecting the new chief is "a process that we are not going to rush into. We want to make sure that the person who will be sitting in the chair as the permanent chief, that we have the right person and the best available person. So it could take three months, it could take six."

Markiewich will be sworn in as acting chief of police at the Police Services Board meeting on Dec. 11.

“I would like to thank the Board for their confidence in me and am honoured to be assuming this post,” Markiewich stated in a news release Friday.

“I am committed to continue to move forward the Future of Policing agenda that has been set by the board and Chief Elsner. Our community is recognized for its leadership in embracing community partnerships in ensuring safety for all.”