Deputy Chief Mark Bennett assumes the role of chief as town post job opening for a new deputy chief
Woodstock council officially appointed Deputy Chief Mark Bennett as interim chief of the Woodstock Police Force during a special noon-hour council meeting on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Effective Friday, Sept. 6, at 4:30 p.m., Bennett will take over for Chief Gary Forward, who accepted the position of chief of the Fredericton Police Force.
The council also announced the appointment of three new officers to the force, officially adding Eric Duguay, Emily McCready, and Karsen Howell.
At the request of Mayor Trina Jones, Chief Bennett addressed the council.
He thanked the council and praised Chief Forward for “how far we’ve moved forward” under his leadership.
“Moving forward, quite frankly, my goal is to continue the trajectory Chief Forward has put us on,” he told the council.
At the new chief’s request, the council agreed to post a job opening to hire a new deputy chief.
“The deputy chief will help continue our operational efficiency, fulfilling the objectives identified in the 2024 strategic plan and provide vital support to myself in overseeing local initiatives.
With a council motion not required, the mayor said she believes council unanimously agrees to post the job opening immediately.
Following the meeting, Bennett said he hoped to have a new deputy chief within a month and a half or sooner but noted they would take their time to find the “right person,” who fits in with the force’s current ideology.
Bennett, hired by the town to serve under Chief Forward a year and a half ago, said he plans to build upon the predecessor’s foundation. He noted the 97 per cent satisfaction rate among WPF employees.
“We want to see that culture continue,” Bennett said.
Bennett takes over from the chief as the council considers a significant expansion of the Woodstock Police Force to stretch its coverage area from Ward 4, the former town boundaries, to all five wards in the expanded community.
Bennett said he was part of the expansion planning.
“Chief Forward has built a very robust foundation and provided me with the blueprints I helped develop,” he said.
Bennett expressed confidence that the force would be in a “good place” to move forward if the town proceeded with its expansion plan.
Forward, who also attended the special council meeting, expressed confidence in Bennett’s ability to lead the force. He said they built a strong relationship during Bennett’s hiring to serve as deputy chief approximately a year and a half ago.
He said Bennett arrived with a good understanding of the contemporary leadership model and described him as a good communicator who is always ready to sit down and talk with citizens and staff.
“No doubt we’re going to see the same type of approach that has proven very effective in Woodstock will continue without interruption,” Forward said.
Bennett said the force has already laid several bricks of a foundation for an effective force, whether it continues as is or expands to cover the entire community.
He said the three new officers, hired through the force’s recruitment initiative, will allow the creation of the Community Engagement Unit (CEU) and the addition of a domestic violence coordinator to the recently created Street Crime Unit (SCU).
Bennett explained that the new units and officers would enhance community engagement, crime prevention, and proactive policing.
He said the CEU officers will work under the supervision of Community Relations Officer (CR)) Sgt. Shaun Kimball.
Bennet explained the CEU would address problematic areas of town, enhance communication, promote crime prevention, conduct traffic oversight and other proactive measures.
He explained the new domestic violence coordinator would streamline investigations, provide greater support for victims and better address a significant policing issue in the area.
