Last week, our guest speaker was Paul Pederson, Chief of the Greater Sudbury Police Service. Active in the policing profession for over 35 years, Chief Pederson was appointed to his role in 2014. Paul told the Sunrisers that after high school he wanted to work outdoors for the MNR but his girlfriend at the time (now his wife), told him she would not move up north and that he needed to get into another line of work. Someone suggested joining the police force as he could work outside. Interesting that a casual remark could lead to such an accomplished career.

 

According to its current Strategic Direction, the Greater Sudbury Police Service will “focus its efforts on its members, an inclusive workplace, public trust and accountability, collaborative community safety and well-being for Greater Sudbury, and policing with excellence and professionalism.” The Chief emphasized that the mandate of the police service is first and foremost to save lives, second to maintain public peace and third to protect property. He confirmed that his focus continues to be human-centered harm prevention.