OTTAWA - Ottawa’s new top cop is officially on the beat.

Peter Sloly was sworn-in as new Chief of the Ottawa Police Service during a private ceremony at Ottawa Police headquarters at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019.

The 27-year veteran of the Toronto Police Service succeeds Charles Bordeleau as Chief of the Ottawa Police Service. Sloly resigned from the Toronto Police Service in 2016, and was working as the national “Security & Justice” leader at Deloitte.

In an interview with CTV Morning Live shortly after being sworn-in, Sloly said he wanted to return to policing because “policing and public service in my blood.”

When asked what his top priority is, Sloly said "getting to know my people, and getting to know this city." 

Sloly was sworn-in shortly before Ottawa Police announced a man had been shot in a weekend shooting on Louis Toscano Drive in Orleans.

CTV Morning Live host Leslie Roberts asked Sloly about the more than 60 shootings in Ottawa so far this year. Sloly said “there’s a crime issue anywhere there’s a big city in this country.” He adds “my understanding is we’ve been suppressing crime, in particular violent crime, for the first part of this year, but there’s a trend that’s ticking up.”

The new chief was scheduled to receive a briefing on shooting and gang activity this morning. Sloly said they will look at things the Ottawa Police Service is doing to deal with violent crime, “and try to put some new things in place as well.”

Sloly also promised to bring some “new ideas” for neighbourhood and community policing. Sloly adds community policing creates new partnerships, to help deliver a better quality police service.

The 2020 draft Ottawa Police budget will be tabled next week. Sloly admitted resources are "not plentiful" for the Ottawa Police Service, "but there should be enough if we pull together."

The chief said he isn't looking for new police officers in the budget, he just wants to know where the officers are and what they're doing.

Ewart Walters with Black Agenda Noir says this is a major move forward for the Ottawa Police Service. 

"I think it's a bright and sunny day for Ottawa", said Walters.

Specifically, he mentioned Slowly's opposition to street checks and "carding" of suspects in Toronto, that many minority groups believe is a form of racial profiling.

"I think there's a professionalism he brings to Ottawa that will help take us in the direction of the culture change in the police service."