The Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board has chosen a new internal hiring committee that will be tasked with selecting the city’s next chief of police.
Board chair John Bruno, Mayor Matthew Shoemaker (municipal appointee) and Nuala Kenny (community appointee) were announced as members of the committee on Wednesday, following a recorded vote held during the open portion of the police board’s monthly meeting.
The formation of a selection committee comes just days after Hugh Stevenson abruptly stepped down as the city’s police chief to run as the federal Conservative candidate for the Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma riding in the April 28 election.
His resignation went into effect Sunday, the same day Bruno publicly announced the appointment of Deputy Chief Brent Duguay as acting chief of police.
“As chair of the board, I want to assure that Sault Police is well positioned to move forward during this transition,” said Bruno, while reading from a prepared statement during the board meeting.
“Deputy Brent Duguay has been appointed interim acting chief, and will lead the organization into the period of change.
“The board will determine the succession plan, and outline the hiring process in the coming weeks.”
Stevenson was first hired as chief of Sault Ste. Marie Police Service in 2018. He was given a five-year contract extension in November 2023.
His salary last year was $229,540, according to Ontario’s Sunshine List.
The Police Services Board tossed around potential ideas for Stevenson’s farewell, but nothing was decided on during Wednesday’s meeting.
“It’s a big, high-profile job and he’s left it, and he left it very, very suddenly,” said Kenny, who is also the executive director of the Algoma Community Legal Clinic.
“So, I don’t think it has to be a four-hour extravaganza — we could go for lunch. I think there should be a suitable and maybe a timeless kind of a gift, engraved or something to show our appreciation.
“To some extent, I feel an obligation to the community to close that chapter.”
Some board members thought it would be best to wait until the conclusion of next month's federal election to formally acknowledge the city’s former top cop.
“I think it’s unwise of us to comment on anything during the campaign, so that there’s no appearance of political impropriety,” Shoemaker said.
Wednesday marked the first time Duguay appeared before the Police Services Board as acting interim police chief since Stevenson’s resignation.
“It’s an honour to be serving the police service in this role during this transition period,” Duguay told board members Wednesday.
“I’m confident with this senior leadership team we already have in place, we will be able to continue to lead the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service with stability and purpose, as we adjust to the day-to-day operations under the changes that have occurred.”
Bruno says the Police Services Board will not be providing further comment on Stevenson’s departure. Members of the local media were also denied interview opportunities following the open portion of Wednesday’s board meeting.