WRPS Superintendent Kevin Thaler To Become Deputy Chief of Police

Police Services Board Appoints New Deputy Chief of Police

Waterloo Region, Ontario – Tom Galloway, Chair of the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board, today announced the appointment of Superintendent Kevin Thaler to the position of Deputy Chief of Police. The announcement follows the retirement of Deputy Chief Stephen Beckett.

Deputy Chief Designate Thaler joined the Waterloo Regional Police Service in 1988 as a Cadet and in 1990 became a front-line patrol officer. Following ten years in Patrol Services and the Traffic Branch, he was promoted to Sergeant in 2000 and was assigned supervisory duties in the Communications Centre, and the Homicide and Detective Branches.

Deputy Chief Designate Thaler was promoted to Staff Sergeant in 2004, serving in Professional Standards, Central Division and Quality Assurance. He was promoted to Inspector in 2011 and assumed responsibilities at North Division. In 2012, he was assigned as the Chief’s Executive Officer and in 2013 became the Inspector for Central Division.

Promoted to Superintendent in August of 2014, he oversaw the Neighbourhood Policing Division.

Deputy Chief Designate Thaler has a B.A. in Psychology from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a graduate of the Canadian Police College Executive Development Program. He currently represents the Waterloo Regional Police Service as the Vice-Chair of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Youth Committee.

“Several excellent candidates applied and were interviewed”, said Board Chair Tom Galloway. "This competition remained internal and speaks to the significant bench strength and qualities of the senior officers who are suitable for a Deputy Chief position.

Deputy Chief Designate Thaler’s new responsibilities are effective April 1, 2015.