Mark Saunders set to become next police chief of Toronto

It has been confirmed that Mark Saunders is to become the next police chief of Toronto.

Saunders will be taking over as the head of police of Canada’s largest city replacing Bill Blair who is set to retire at the end of this week.

Saunders, 52, becomes the first African Canadian named to the position. He brings over 3 decades of experience having moved through the ranks. He has headed some of the toughest squads within the Toronto police, including the drugs and gangs units; the homicide division, and the emergency task force – Toronto’s equivalent of the SWAT units. He has been the force’s deputy chief, and has been in charge of the Specialized Operations Command, with a membership of 1,200 police officers and 164 civilian members, with a budget of CAD$175 million (US$143 million).

Saunders’ appointment as Toronto Police chief is expected to be formally announced at a news conference Monday morning.