Halton regional police Deputy Chief Nishan (Nish) Duraiappah is among a short list of candidates to become the next chief of police in Peel region, according to multiple sources close to the Peel Regional Police Services Board.

Duraiappah, a native of Sri Lanka who has been with Halton police since 1995, applied for and was interviewed for the position of Peel’s top cop recently — along with Peel interim Chief Chris McCord and Peel Deputy Chief Marc Andrews — according to the sources who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity.

Among the 10 people who applied, the front-runners are still believed to be the internal candidates, one source said, but added that could change during the next round of evaluations.

The search for a new chief began after Jennifer Evans’ surprise retirement announcement last fall.

The police board — the body tasked with picking the next top cop — announced in late December that then deputy chief Chris McCord had been appointed interim police chief, to fill in until the hiring process has wrapped up and a replacement has been chosen.

Robert Serpe, executive director of the Peel police board, would neither confirm nor deny that Duraiappah, McCord and Andrews have been shortlisted as candidates.

“The Peel Police Services Board launched its process to find a new full-time chief of police to lead the organization earlier this year,” he said in an email. “This process will continue through the summer, and the board expects to announce a new full-time chief of police later this year.”

Duraiappah hasn’t replied to multiple requests seeking comment on whether he is interested in being Peel’s next chief of police, or whether he has been shortlisted.

An automated email stating Duraiappah is away until Aug. 6 was received after InsideHalton.com reached out to the high-ranking officer Monday.

Halton regional police Const. Steve Elms, a spokesperson for the force, also had little to say about news that Duraiappah is being considered for chief of police in Peel.

“We are not aware of such information, thus we are not in a position to provide comment,” he said.

It was revealed late last year that Duraiappah was eyeing the top position in Peel.

According to his online bio, he began his career with the Halton police in December 1995. He served several years as a constable in uniformed patrol in Milton, Halton Hills and Burlington. He also served in the general investigative divisions of those municipalities.

In his role as deputy chief of district operations, the bio states, “Duraiappah has maintained a commitment to his community and is involved with several sports and hobbies, as well as a volunteer board member for the United Way of Halton and Hamilton, as well a South Asian Autism Awareness Centre in the GTA.”

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said last fall the next chief of police faces a significant task.

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“We have escalating crime, I’ve talked about some of the things that I believe are important. I think how we handle the growth of mental health calls. The 42 per cent of Peel police calls are mental health-related,” he said in November.

“Having a chief with some experience on how that is best handled without diminishing police resources is important.”