Former deputy chief of Toronto police appointed to lead Sarnia Police Service amid Chief Davis’s suspension

Mike Federico speaks at a Toronto police news conference in September 2015. (Source: Toronto Police Service)

A former deputy chief of Toronto police is taking over Sarnia’s police force leadership in the absence of suspended Chief Derek Davis.

The Sarnia Police Service Board has appointed Mike Federico to lead the department, starting June 15.

A statement from the board highlights Federico’s experience in successfully steering police services through leadership transitions with “absolute transparency.”

Federico is a law enforcement veteran, with 50 years of policing experience. Forty-five of those years were as a police officer with the Toronto Police Service, where he also served as deputy chief of the service.

In addition to his policing experience in Toronto, Federico has also served as senior investigative advisor to the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services, now the Inspectorate of Policing, and as administrator to the Durham Regional Police Service.

Federico is a recognized expert witness in both civil and criminal cases and is a lifetime member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

“Policing is built on trust, accountability, and service to the community. The board is sincere in its focus on helping the service keep Sarnia safe and healthy. I know that the members of [the] service share this desire. They are professional and dedicated. It is a privilege to be appointed interim chief, and I pledge my service to the community,” Federico said in a statement.

In his interim role, Federico will assume strategic oversight of the service and will work closely alongside Deputy Chief Michael VanSickle, Deputy Chief Ron Hansen and the existing senior command team “to maintain daily frontline operations, support members of the service, and fulfill the board’s commitment to community safety.”

Police Board Chair Kelly Ash says the appointment will last until the investigation into workplace harassment against Davis is complete.

On May 19 Davis was placed on immediate leave pending an investigation into allegations of workplace harassment.

Earlier this week the board said it was hiring Marshall Workplace Law, an employment law firm based out of Toronto, to complete an independent workplace investigation regarding Davis.

In April the chief also filed a $1.5-million defamation lawsuit against the Sarnia Journal, an independent news outlet that had been publicly critical of him, and owner Nathan Colquhon.

The police board said previously it would cover his legal costs regarding the lawsuit with public funds but said Wednesday public funds would not be used.

With files from CTV News London’s Bryan Bicknell