Photo of Chief Stephen Tanner

Chief Stephen J. Tanner

Chief Stephen J. Tanner reports to the Halton Police Board, and in his role as Chief, is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient operation of all areas of the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS).

In addition to leading the HRPS, Chief Tanner is also a police officer, and holds all responsibilities and rights afforded that role. As Chief of Police, his duties are legislated in Sections 41 and 42 of the Community Safety Policing Act (CSPA), including:

  • Overseeing all police operations and administration of the Service, in accordance with the objectives, priorities and policies established by the Halton Police Board;
  • Ensuring all officers and civilian members carry out their duties in accordance with the CSPA, in a manner that reflects the needs of the community;
  • Maintaining discipline within the HRPS and administering the Service's complaints system; and
  • Exercising the proper authority in disclosing personal information in order to protect the public and victims of crime, enforce the law, and administer justice in accordance with the relevant privacy laws.

Biography

Chief Tanner was born in Oakville, Ontario, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Guelph before entering the policing profession as a sworn member of the Halton Regional Police Service in 1982.

During his tenure with the HRPS, he has worked in a variety of areas, including uniformed patrol, criminal investigations, tactical rescue, training, intelligence, and major crime. He also served as the Chair of the Halton Regional Police Association. During this time, he was actively involved with the Police Association of Ontario.

In 1998, he accepted the position of Deputy Chief of Operations with the Guelph Police Service, a role he held until relocating to Belleville as Deputy Chief in 2000.

In 2001, he achieved a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Western Ontario.

In 2002, he was chosen as Belleville's Chief of Police. At that time, at the age of 41, he was one of the youngest Chiefs of Police in Canada. In 2008, he became the Chief of Kingston Police, a position he held for more than three years.

In January 2012, he was appointed by the Governor General of Canada as an Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. That June, he returned home to Halton region and was named Chief of the Halton Regional Police Service.

Chief Tanner is currently in his 43rd year of policing, and 23rd as Chief of Police. He is currently the longest actively serving Chief of Police in Canada.

Chief Tanner has been heavily involved with a variety of organizations, boards and sports teams over the years. He has served as the President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, and co-chaired the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario’s Governing Body and Executive Committee for two terms. He was also the recent past Co-Chair of the National Police Services – National Advisory Committee. Chief Tanner is a long-time Member of the Board for Ronald McDonald House of South Central Ontario (Hamilton), and a Founding Member of Abraham Global Peace Initiative (AGPI), an international organization for human rights, standing against hate and discrimination.

Chief Tanner's heart lies with Halton and he is grateful for the opportunity to serve the many and vibrant residents of this great community. He is committed to ensuring a safer region for all and works closely with our valued partners at home and beyond to achieve it. He also prioritizes diversity, equity and inclusion along with the need to combat and eliminate racism and discrimination in our community and in our society.