Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay has named Marc Parent as the city's new police chief.
Parent, director of the northern division of the city, was chosen by Tremblay Thursday afternoon.
"Given the outstanding quality of candidates, my choice was very difficult, but I did it thinking of Montreal, their expectations and their concerns. Marc Parent has a great knowledge of all issues regarding public safety. His thoroughness, his dynamism and his irreproachable conduct in the SPVM will continue as he works with people to improve the sense of security among Montrealers," said Tremblay.
Parent, a 26-year veteran of Montreal's police force, has held several senior positions, including chief of staff of the SWAT team.
Parent, 46, holds a master's degree in public administration and a B.A. in business administration, in addition to holding a diploma in major investigations and terrorism from the FBI National Academy.
Working in north-end neighbourhoods such as St. Michel, Parent also has extensive experience in community relations and diversity issues, said Tremblay.
Fo Niemi from the Centre for Research Action on Race Relations said the choice should usher in a fresh start on issues troubling Montreal police, such as racial profiling.
"In the communities, especially St. Michel, the style of policing has improved there significantly, and hopefully will represent a new wave of police managers much more closely tied to the community, and much more sensitive to diversity," said Niemi.
Tremblay made the decision following three-hour interviews with both Parent and assistant chief Jean-Guy Gagnon.
Gagnon was considered by some to be a natural successor to the role, a nomination the police brotherhood publicly opposed. Tremblay said his decision to choose Parent was not related to the police union's preference.
"I did not take that at all into consideration... we had discussions on a lot of subjects (including) security," said Tremblay in a news conference Thursday.
Parent can not officially take over the role until it is approved by the public security commission, the agglomeration council, and then is officially approved by Quebec's public security minister.
Former police chief Yvan Delorme resigned in May.
