The Barrie Police Services Board announced Monday that Ken Weatherill will be the forces next deputy chief.

He will assume the role on May 23, 2017 when current deputy chief Bruce Carlson retires.

Weatherill is currently the deputy chief for the Hamilton Police Service where he began his policing career in October 1986. He has served in Uniform Patrol, Traffic, Emergency Response Unit and Investigative Services.

“I am very excited to be joining the Barrie Police Service. The Barrie Police Service is a Service with an extraordinary vision, a vision which focuses on Service Excellence in the delivery of Public Safety,” said Weatherill.

Weatherill is a graduate of McMaster University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography. He has completed several professional development courses within the Province of Ontario including the Police Leadership Program at the Rotman School of Management and later at the FBI National Academy in Quantico Virginia, concentrating on Police Leadership and Criminal Justice.

A Barrie native, Weatherill will be returning to his roots to assist Chief Kimberley Greenwood when he joins the service in May.

“With Ken’s connection to the area and his experience in policing we are confident that he will be a leader in both our Service and our community and the Board and I look forward to working with Ken in his new role,” said Barrie Police Services Board Chair James Dickie.