THUNDER BAY -- The Thunder Bay Police Service has named its first-ever female deputy chief and the police board is looking forward to a higher plateau for Sylvie Hauth's skills in building bridges with the city's Indigenous community.
"I'm very proud of the fact that I'm the first woman. I was the first woman in the position of inspector and now for deputy," Hauth said.
"I'm proud of it but I know my hard work, my education, my skill set and what I bring to the table was a factor in bringing me to this position."
Hauth grew up in Iroquois Falls and attended post-secondary school in Ottawa before settling in Thunder Bay to join the local police service in 1993.
Thunder Bay Police Services Board chairwoman Jackie Dojack said Hauth's long-standing career in the north has given her a deep understanding of local diversity and an inspiring vision for improving the police's relationship with the Indigenous community.
"She understands isolated communities," Dojack said.
"Because of some of the committee work she has been involved in, she has a good understanding of some of the social and socio-economic conditions that some Aboriginal people in our community encounter and in many of the interactions with our service, unfortunately is when people are in distress. So she's looking at how we can have more positive interactions and how we can be more proactive."
Hauth touted the relationship she has built with the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre as representative of the broader work she hopes the service will do.
She added she still has a lot to learn between now and January when she will officially take over the position.
""My vision moving forward is to continue those great relationships that we have established and building on what has been underway even under the leadership of deputy Andy Hay," Hauth said.
Career accomplishments of new Thunder Bay Police Service Deputy Chief Sylvie Hauth
- Member of the Thunder Bay Police Service since June 1993
- Promoted to the Rank of Inspector in Aug. 2009
- Worked various positions within the organization
- Holds a Master’s Degree in Criminology from the University of Ottawa and B.A. in Law & Justice from Laurentian University
- Certified Municipal Manager III with an Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (O.A.C.P.), Police Executive Endorsement
- Attended Rotman School of Management, Police Leadership Program in 2012
- Bilingual (French and English)
- Community Services Branch Commander since 2011
- Member of the Thunder Bay Police Services’ Senior Officers Association Executive
- O.A.C.P. Training Committee member since 2013
- Active community member, having served on a number of board of directors and various committees
- Government of Canada – Police Exemplary Service Medal in 2014
