Ron Hansen says he’s ‘embracing’ his new role with the Sarnia Police Service — but it has also been an eye opener.
Ron Hansen says he’s ‘embracing’ his new role with the Sarnia Police Service — but it has also been an eye opener.
“Coming to Sarnia and learning about what’s going on here — it’s different,” said the city’s new deputy chief, following an official swearing-in ceremony held at City Hall, Tuesday. “I’m seeing a lot more mental health issues, addictions and homelessness. These are all things obviously the police can’t change on our own… but it’s not something that I saw in Halton, as prevalent as it is here in Sarnia.”
Hansen, who comes from the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) — where he spent time serving with Sarnia’s Chief of Police Derek Davis — said although Halton is much larger, it was a relatively safe region.
“I think the amount of violent crime we have here in Sarnia is way different than the violent crime we had back in Halton,” said Hansen, who spent 29 years with the HRPS.
“My heart breaks for those people that are homeless, and are suffering from addiction, because a lot of times, it’s something that’s almost impossible to get out of.
“They have to want to be able to get out of it,” he added, “but without the right supports and systems in place, it’s challenging.
“It’s going to be a challenge but I’m looking forward to it.”
Hansen will head up the service’s criminal investigations division in his new role as one of two deputy police chiefs; outgoing deputy chief Julie Craddock announced last week that she is leaving her post for a new opportunity with the Anishinabek Police Service. Inspector Mike Van Sickle has been appointed acting deputy chief.
Hansen’s most recent command position was inspector of the strategic management office at the HRPS, where he led several specialist units, including policy, planning and emergency management, crime analysis and enterprise project management.
“But I wasn’t actually doing things that I actually loved,” he said. “So when I saw the opportunity to come to Sarnia for their criminal investigations, it was something I really embraced, because I’m passionate about intelligence and criminal investigations.
“And to be able to come here and actually command an area like that — it’s just an exciting opportunity, and one that I really could not say no to.”
Tuesday’s ceremony included words from Aamjiwnaang First Nation Acting Chair Janelle Nahmabin, Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu, Police Service Board Chair Paul Wiersma, Deputy Chief Julie Craddock and Chief Derek Davis.
The Honourable M. Edward Graham was also on hand for the official swearing-in.
“When I think of an investigator — if someone in my family was in need of police investigation — that’s the investigator I would want to call,” Davis said, calling Hansen an ‘exceptionally tenacious’ officer, with an “extensive background in criminal investigations.”
“The team that he will be leading are dedicated professionals with very heavy workloads that carry an unbelievable amount of investigative burden,” he added. “I think people would be surprised at the amount that they do carry.”
Davis, who was named chief in 2022, said his time with the service has been “nothing but exceptional.”
“I can say that the past two years, the men and women of this organization have gone through a tremendous amount of change; they have recognized and seen the challenges that all of us as police agencies face.”
Hansen said he’s already grown to appreciate his time in Sarnia.
“Coming to a small organization…it’s more personal,” he said. “I’m really embracing it."
