Look who's going to be our new police chief (photo added)

The following is a news release issued by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service earlier today.

For more SooToday.com coverage of the announcement of the city's new police chief, click here.

Chief Designate Keetch began his policing career with the Ontario Provincial Police in 1982.

He later joined the Greater Sudbury Police Service in 1986.

He possesses diverse experience as a frontline police officer, drug unit officer, forensic identification specialist, and a criminal investigator.

Prior to leaving the Greater Sudbury Police Service, he attained the police rank of Inspector and was the Divisional Commander of the Neighbourhood Policing Unit.

He has a diploma in law enforcement from Seneca College and a bachelor of arts in policing from Charles Sturt University.

Additionally, he is a graduate of the 228 Session of the FBI National Academy (2007).

He has attended many training courses at the Canadian Police College, Ontario Police College, and other education institutions.

In 2012, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for dedicated service to peers, the community, and Canada.

Chief Designate Keetch is currently the co-chair of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee and the Ontario Working Group on Collaborative Risk-Driven Community Safety.

Throughout his career, he has been involved in many non-profit organization boards and he has been very active in his community.

MacKenzie stated, "It has been my pleasure today to introduce you to Chief Designate Robert Keetch. He is inheriting a modern and progressive police service of almost 200 members which was capably lead by Chief Davies for more than 17 years. My fellow board members and I look forward to working with him as it is apparent that he is a strong supporter of police, community, and knows the importance of respectful relationships and the power of what can be accomplished by working collaboratively together."

An official swearing-in ceremony will be held on Monday, June 16, 2014 at the Civic Centre.

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(PHOTO: Chief Designate Robert Keech seen during a press conference June 4, 2014 where he was announced as the successor to Chief Bob Davies. SooToday.com/Kenneth Armstrong)