BRAMPTON, Ont. – Peel Regional Police have selected a woman to lead its police department — the force’s first female police chief.

Deputy Chief Jennifer Evans was announced as Peel Region’s new chief of police on Tuesday, after joining the force in 1983.

“This feels wonderful,” she said. “I am very happy to take on the role of the next chief of police for Peel Region.”

Evans is the first female top cop in the Greater Toronto Area.

She has worked in various roles for Peel, including eight years on its investigations unit. She was seconded to assist in a judicial review of how police investigated Paul Bernardo and recently assisted the British Columbia Missing Women Commission of Inquiry.

Experience, she said, that taught her a valuable lesson.

“Leaders have to take responsibility and accountability for all the actions of all the police members within their service.”

Evans will replace Chief Mike Metcalf, who announced this spring he was resigning after 40 years with the force.

She will be sworn in on Oct. 12.