Heather Wright/The Independent

Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis has been suspended after the police services board launched an independent investigation of a workplace harassment complaint.

The board released a statement at 9:16 am Monday saying Deputy Chief Michael VanSickle, who has been serving as Acting Chief for the last week while Davis was on vacation, will be continue in the role during the investigation.

The release says the board initiated the formal, independent investigation after a complaint was filed against Davis. Board Chair Kelly Ash tells The Independent that complaint was filed in the last 30-days. Davis’s been suspended with pay until the review is complete.

“This suspension is a standard administrative procedure to ensure a fair, transparent, and unbiased investigative process and does not imply any determination of wrongdoing,” says the board in a news release.”

“The board takes all allegations of workplace harassment with the utmost seriousness,” said Ash in the release.

“Our priority is to maintain a safe, respectful workplace while ensuring the community continues to receive the highest standard of public safety and policing excellence. We ask for the public’s patience as the independent investigator conducts a thorough review.”

The board said it will make no further comment until the investigation is complete. Ash did tell The Independent the police board dealt with the complaint over the long weekend and the board is now in the process of hiring a workplace investigation law firm to investigate.

Davis has led Sarnia Police for the last four years. Before that, he rose through the ranks of the Halton Police Service over 25 years. At the time he was hired in Sarnia, Davis was the District Commander in the Burlington division, in charge of 150 officers and civilians. He’s also was the chair of the National Board of MADD Canada between 2023 and 2025.

His leadership in Sarnia has been controversial at times.

In August 2025, Davis and the police board lobbied for a new, $90 million police headquarters. While council gave the go-ahead, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley vetoed the idea with his Strong Mayor’s powers.

A month ago, Davis personally filed a $1.5 million defamtion suit against Nathan Colquhoun, the owner of The Sarnia Journal. Colquhoun had written critically of the department in both online stories and columns about the station and the hiring of one of Davis former coworkers to a civilian position at the department. The police services board is paying Davis’ legal costs.

In February, the police services board extended Davis’ contract until 2032.