The Cornwall Police Service Board has named Hugh Stevenson as the new Chief Designate. The announcement was made by Board Chair Amanda Brisson on May 7, 2026, as the local police service prepares for the upcoming retirement of Chief Shawna Spowart.
Chief Spowart announced her retirement on January 15, 2026, after serving roughly 31 years with the department, including five years as chief. During the current transition period, Deputy Chief Chad Maxwell is serving as the acting chief.
Stevenson, who brings 38 years of experience in municipal and provincial policing, will be officially sworn in at the June 25, 2026, board meeting. He is set to take over as Chief of the Cornwall Police Service on January 1, 2027. He holds a Doctorate in Education, a Master’s in Criminology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology.
Before this appointment, Stevenson served as the Chief of Police for the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service from 2018 until his resignation in March 2025. Following his departure from that role, reports indicated that the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service had exceeded its 2024 budget by approximately $2.9 million. Stevenson also ran as a candidate in the 2025 federal election for Sault Ste. Marie-Algoma, where he was defeated by incumbent Terry Sheehan.
The transition in leadership arrives as the Cornwall police face local budget pressures. The 2026 police budget includes a 9.87% increase, representing an additional $2,564,528 on the net levy. According to Chief Spowart, salaries and benefits make up approximately 87% of the total police budget.
