Waterloo Regional Police last week announced Deputy Chief Mark Crowell will be the new chief.
Crowell is a 22-year-member of the Waterloo Regional Police Service. He has served as the deputy chief of police – administration & member services for the past two years, a position in which he oversaw areas including human resources, finances & assets, information technology, special projects, administrative support, professional development and respect in the workplace. Prior to this, he served as an inspector and executive officer to the chief of police, where he oversaw the expansion of the equity, diversity and inclusion unit and the establishment of the public information unit, police said in a release.
He will assume his new position on November 24.
Over his career, he has served in areas including neighbourhood policing and investigations – patrol, intimate partner violence, communications, special victims – sexual assault, and administrative support – records.
“The selection of chief designate Mark Crowell comes after an extensive search and we are pleased to welcome him as the seventh chief of the Waterloo Regional Police Service,” said board chair Karen Redman in the release. “Chief designate Crowell has proven himself to be a progressive, innovative and inspirational leader, whose compassion and commitment for not only WRPS, but the Waterloo Region community, makes him the ideal solution-focused leader required to usher in a modern vision of community safety.”
Crowell has a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and Canadian studies from Wilfrid Laurier University, as well as a Master of Arts degree in sociology and a PhD in sociology from the Department of Sociology and Legal Studies at the University of Waterloo. He was a board member for Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW) for nine years and is currently a board member for Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region. He has served as a community volunteer with Out of the Cold and Food4Kids Waterloo Region.
“I am honoured and humbled to have been selected by the board to serve as chief of police for WRPS,” said Crowell. “As your chief of police, I look forward to working with the board and our members to continue to provide the most effective and innovative service to Waterloo Region residents while pursuing a diverse and inclusive workplace, and further advancing safety by working with our community partners to create equitable outcomes for all residents of Waterloo Region.”
OCTOBER 27
4:49 PM | Emergency services responded to reports of a collision at the intersection of Ebycrest Road and Hopewell Creek Road. The police investigation revealed that the driver of a Honda Civic was travelling east on Ebycrest Road and attempted to turn left onto Hopewell Creek Road. The Honda Civic was struck by the driver of a Kia Sorento. The driver of the Honda, a 47-year-old Guelph woman, was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Kia, a 37-year-old Woolwich Township woman, reported minor injuries. A child passenger was also in the vehicle and was not injured. The investigation remains ongoing by members of the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Traffic Unit, and charges are pending. Anyone that may have witnessed this collision, or anyone with dash-cam footage, is encouraged to contact police at 519-570-9777, ext. 8856.
OCTOBER 28
8:55 AM | Waterloo Regional Police received a report of a collision on Lobsinger Line in Wellesley Township. A transport truck was slowing down while travelling east on Lobsinger Line when it was struck by a vehicle as travelling directly behind it. As a result of the investigation, a 20-year-old Huron County woman was charged with ‘careless driving.’
9:46 AM | Police received a report of a collision on Lobsinger Line in Woolwich Township. A driver was travelling east on Lobsinger Line and stopped for traffic to make a left turn. Another vehicle also travelling in the same direction rear-ended the stopped vehicle. As a result of the collision, a 43-year-old Wellington County man was charged with ‘careless driving.’
7:00 PM | Emergency services responded to reports of a collision in the area of Ament Line and Herrgott Road. Through the initial investigation, police determined that a red Dodge minivan crossed the centre line and struck a grey GMC Yukon. The driver of the Yukon, a 41-year-old woman, was not injured. The driver of the Dodge, a 36-year-old Kitchener man, was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He was subsequently arrested and charged with ‘dangerous operation,’ ‘operation while impaired,’ ‘operation of a conveyance while prohibited’ and ‘operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration.’ Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or may have information is asked to call the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Traffic Unit at 519-570-9777, ext. 8856.
OCTOBER 30
4:00 PM | Wellington County OPP responded to a report of a collision involving a sport utility vehicle and a motorcycle at the intersection of Wellington Road 8 and Wellington Road 10. Guelph-Wellington Paramedic Services and local fire departments also attended the scene. The driver of the motorcycle was transported to a trauma centre with life-threatening injuries. No one else involved in the collision was seriously injured. The Wellington County OPP is continuing to investigate with the assistance of the OPP West Region Traffic Incident Management and Enforcement (TIME) team. Anyone who may have witnessed this collision or who may have dashcam footage is asked to contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
