Durham police chief to lead Ottawa force

Ottawa has recruited its new chief of police from another Ontario force, the CBC has learned.

Chief VernonWhite of Durham Regional Policewill take over fromOttawa police Chief Vince Bevan in April, an unnamed source confirmed Wednesday.

Ottawa police are to make an official announcement about their new chief on Friday.

White, 48,was born inNew Waterford, N.S.,and has been a police officer for more than 25 years.He spent most of his career serving with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in northern Canada, where he was credited withhelping boost the number of aboriginal police officers.

He is familiar with Ottawa, having moved there in 2002 to serve as assistant commissioner with the RCMP before heading to Durham region.

Steve Parish, mayor of Ajax,a town in Durham region30 kilometres east of Toronto,saidWhite servedhis community and police force wellafter he became the region's chief of police in September 2005.

Parishcalled White "very much a cop's cop" butsaid the chief alsomade a point of getting out into the community and talkingone-on-onewith localleaders and ordinary citizens.

'He had both characteristics that I think a modern large city needs.' Ajax Mayor Steve Parish

"He had both characteristics that I think a modern large city needs."

Retired Ottawa police officer Doug Kirkland said he thinks White'sbackground willfacilitate joint investigations with other forces.

"There are so many operations that are tied together," he said. "So maybe having somebody there who's on a first name basis with the RCMP would be a very good thing."

Local francophones are pleased that White speaks French.

"I think it's very good," said Nicolas Sguin, spokesman for the Association canadienne-franaise de l'Ontario."The French community is going to be more in touch with the chief because he's going to be able to communicate with them directly."

Bevanis retiring in Marchafter more than six years on the job.