When the Toronto Police Services Board announced Monday that Mark Saunders would become the next chief, many Milton residents felt a wave of pride rush over them.
That’s because Saunders, 52, who’s currently deputy chief at Toronto Police Service (TPS), has many ties with Milton. He’ll take over when Chief Bill Blair retires on April 26.
Saunders’ family was originally from Jamaica, came to Quebec and in 1969 moved to Milton.
Many Milton residents commented about his promotion Tuesday on social media, saying things like remembering him as a great athlete in sports including track, basketball and kickboxing. He was also a basketball referee in the late 1970s at Holy Rosary School.
He was also student council president while attending Milton District High School. He also attended W.I. Dick Middle School.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said the decision to name Saunders chief was a difficult one, given the high-calibre pool of candidates. But in the end the choice was unanimous by the seven-member board.
Saunders is a 32-year veteran of the service, who started his career as a constable at 11 Division in 1982, according to TPS. Over the next 30 years, he worked in Special Investigations, Emergency Task Force and led the Homicide Squad.
He’ll be the first black leader of the largest municipal police service in Canada.
Saunders said he first realized the importance of becoming the first black police chief of the service when he told his son about being named chief.
“It resonated with me when I told my son. He said, ‘Dad, that’s history.’”
The married father of four holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Justice Studies from the University of Guelph-Humber.
“I can’t begin to tell you how honoured and excited I am to have this opportunity to work with you and with the Toronto police service,” he said. “To say that I’m excited about this opportunity would be an understatement.
“I look forward to serving the great citizens of the city, a city in which I live and a city that I am proud to serve.”
Saunders is currently in charge of Specialized Operations Command, where he oversees 1,200 police officers, 164 civilian members and a budget of $175 million.
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