Former Oak Bay police chief Mark Fisher is returning to the role in September.
Fisher, who served as chief from 2011 to 2014 before leaving to take on the role of officer in charge of the Nanaimo RCMP, will replace current Chief Ray Bernoties, who recently announced his retirement.
Fisher returned to Oak Bay in 2020, and currently serves as deputy chief of the 21-member department.
Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch, chairman of the police board, said the board is thrilled to have Fisher take on the chief’s role. “He has demonstrated exceptional leadership during his time in Oak Bay and has brought great insight from his diverse policing and leadership across Canada,” Murdoch said.
He said Fisher has “a great vision” for community policing.
Fisher’s 31 years of policing experience includes leading the West Shore RCMP, and serving as commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP, just prior to returning to Oak Bay in 2020.
He said he is proud to serve with the department’s team of civilian employees, volunteers and police officers.
“Oak Bay residents have always been supportive of our department,” he said. “Oak Bay is a fantastic place to serve as a police officer.”
