The man who has been Kingston Police’s acting chief for nearly a year has been named the city’s new chief of police.
Scott Fraser will officially move into the role starting Jan. 1, the Kingston Police Services Board announced Tuesday.
“It’s a great opportunity and I certainly thank the police services board and the people of the Kingston police to have faith in me to move forward,” Fraser told Global News.
“When you like your job you never work a day in your life and when you’re surrounded by great people, great things happen.”
Fraser, 53, moved into the role of acting chief following the retirement of former Kingston chief of police, Antje McNeely, in January.
Fraser started his police career in Vancouver in 1991 and joined the Brockville police in 1998, where he served a number of roles including sergeant in charge of criminal investigations and inspector in charge of operation sand support services before becoming that service’s chief.
He’s been a Kingston police member since October 2021 when he took on the role of deputy chief.
Kingston Police Board Chair Jarrod Stearns said the recruitment process to replace McNeely attracted candidates from across Canada.
Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson, who also sits on the Kingston Police Service Board, said Fraser was the best choice.
“Certainly myself and the rest of the board felt that he was the right leader for this moment,” Paterson told Global News.
Originally from Carleton Place, Ont., Fraser holds a diploma in police foundations from Sir Sandford Fleming College, a certificate in police administration from Dalhousie University, and a certificate in criminal justice education from the University of Virginia.