Ottawa Police Services Board Announces Hiring of Eric Stubbs as New Chief of the Ottawa Police Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, October 21, 2022     2:30 pm  

Ottawa—The Ottawa Police Services Board announced today that it has selected Eric Stubbs as the new Chief of Police for the Ottawa Police Service (OPS). Eric Stubbs is currently an Assistant Commissioner with the RCMP where he holds the role of Criminal Operations Officer for the Province of British Columbia. He will begin his role as Chief of the OPS effective November 17, 2022.

“What impressed the Board the mostabout Chief Select Stubbs, in addition to his knowledge and experience, is his ability to connect with people. We are confident he will earn the trust, confidence, and hearts of the members of the OPS, as well as the Ottawa community,” stated Board Chair Eli El-Chantiry. “Chief Select Stubbs has a wide breadth and depth of experience in his 30-year long career with the RCMP. He hasheld key leadership positions both within BC and even in Ottawa, where he was Chief Superintendent for three years. He has successfully managed and overseen substantial budgets at municipal, provincial, and federal levels. He has led teams through states of emergencies and high-profile protests and is well-versed in government relations. He has also been proactively involved with First Nation Leaders and efforts towards reconciliation. Chief Select Stubbs will be an excellent and thoughtful leader for the OPS and the community at large.”

"It is truly an honour and I am humbled to become the police chief in the Capital of Canada.  I’m looking forward to working with the great civilian and sworn members of the Ottawa Police Service, as we all work together with the communities we serve,” stated Chief Select Stubbs.

The Board wishes to extend its sincere thanks to Interim Chief Steve Bell for his dedicated leadership over the last eight months.  He has led the Ottawa Police Service through one of its most challenging moments during the convoy and was also at the helm during St. Patrick’s Day, Rolling Thunder, the Derecho storm, Canada Day, and a number of other complex operational matters.

Biography of Eric Stubbs

Assistant Commissioner Eric Stubbs joined the RCMP in 1993 and was posted to E Division in British Columbia (BC).  Over the course of the next 20 plus years, he worked in six BC communities highlighted by his role as the Chief of Police in the communities of Daajing Giids, Terrace, and Prince George. 

In 2014, he transferred to RCMP Headquarters in Ottawa as the Director General, National Criminal Operations, where he served until July of 2017.  His portfolio included the National Use of Force, Operational Policy, Traffic Services and the Operational Research Unit.

In July 2017, Assistant Commissioner Eric Stubbs returned to BC and is now in charge of Core Criminal Operations for the BC RCMP. He is responsible and accountable for the overall strategic direction, leadership, and operations of Core Policing functions.  His portfolio includes oversight of the province’s 125 RCMP detachments.  Specialized units such as the Emergency Response Teams, Indigenous Policing, Crime Prevention, Highway Patrol, Police Dog Services, Explosive Disposal Unit, Underwater Recovery Team, Dispatchers and Marine Services are also part of his team. 

Since 2017, the BC RCMP have faced a number of exceptionally challenging events that included three significant Wildfire seasons, many high profile protests related to the resource sector and the COVID-19 pandemic.  Assistant Commissioner Stubbs has led the BC RCMP’s response to these events but is quick to credit the incredible leadership of District/Detachment/Unit commanders across the Division.

The Ottawa Police Services Board is the civilian body responsible for governing the Ottawa Police Service.  It is responsible for ensuring the provision of adequate and effective police services to City of Ottawa residents. 

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For additional information, please contact Krista Ferraro, Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board, at 580-2424, ext. 21618.