Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis has been suspended.
Sarnia Police Service Board Chair Kelly Ash said the suspension follows the launch of a formal independent investigation, regarding a workplace harassment complaint filed against Davis.
"The board takes all allegations of workplace harassment with the utmost seriousness," said Ash. "Our priority is to maintain a safe, respectful workplace while ensuring the community continues to receive the highest standard of public safety and policing excellence. We ask for the public's patience as the independent investigator conducts a thorough review."
The suspension, with pay, is effective immediately.
In the interim, Deputy Chief Michael VanSickle will serve as Acting Chief of Police.
Ash said this suspension is a standard administrative procedure to ensure a fair, transparent, and unbiased investigative process and does not imply any determination of wrongdoing.
Davis was officially sworn in as the city's new police chief in June of 2022.
While the investigation is ongoing, the Sarnia Police Service Board and Sarnia Police Service will make no further comment.
Sarnia News Today has reached out to Chief Davis for comment.
