Sara Cunningham named first female police chief in Sudbury, Ont. - Action News
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Sudbury

Sara Cunningham named first female police chief in Sudbury, Ont.

The Greater Sudbury Police Service has a new chief, as Sara Cunningham, becomes the first woman to be named to the role with the northern Ontario force. The city's police services board approved the hiring of the veteran officer and administrator.

Veteran officer has served 26 years in various roles, including administrative positions

a woman officer in a black police dress uniform smiles while standing in front of a blue background with Greater Sudbury Police logos on it.
Veteran officer Sara Cunningham is the new chief of police with the Greater Sudbury Police Service. (submitted by Greater Sudbury Police)

The Greater Sudbury Police Service has a new chief, asSara Cunningham becomesthe first woman to be named to the role with the northern Ontario force. She's moving up from her post as a deputy chief.

"Deputy Chief Cunningham's 26 years with the service has made her well equipped to assume this position," said Police Services Board chairAl Sizerin a news release.

"She has served with pride, distinctionandexcellence, and brings vast experience to the role. I am very pleased to have her serveas our next chief."

The board says Cunningham is an engaging and forward-thinking leader, and has served as both the operations and administrative deputy chief over the past threeyears.

This profession is getting tougher and tougher by the day, and so I really want to focus on member well-being, all so our officers are serving the publicin the best possible way that they can.- Sara Cunningham, Sudbury's new police chief

Having grown up in Sudburyand being a career policeofficer in the city, she admitsbeing named to the top job is a thrill.

"You know, when I started out at the age of 21, I didn't think that some day I'd be the chief of police, but for me this has been a life-long dream. To be in this role, and in public service, and giving back to the community I live in, that I raised my family in, it feels really really good."

Cunningham feels being the first female police chief in Sudbury isa big deal.

"It is. It is because I'm a mom of three daughters and for any young woman out there, or the women here at GSPS, I hope that they can see themselves in me at some point. I hope that I can be kind of a role model to future female leaders."

A police car holding up yellow tape at a crime scene.
File photo shots Greater Sudbury police responding to a weapons call in August 2023. (Bienvenu Senga/ Radio-Canada)

When asked about her priorities, Cunningham said tackling the homelessness and addiction crisis as a community will be a huge one, along with securing a new and larger policeheadquarters building. She also said police officer wellness will be a big piece of her leadership.

"Another priority for me is our people. This profession is getting tougher and tougher by the day, and so I really want to focus on member well-being, all so our officers are serving the publicin the best possible way that they can."

Cunningham also saidshe will work to advance innovative policing practices, such as body-worn cameras, and the latest technology with a view to effectively and efficiently deploying resources.

In her most recent assignment, Cunningham directedthe divisions of human resources and professional development, finance, communication and information technology, and information management.