Inspector John Pauls is in his 25th year of policing. John began his career with the Halton Regional Police in 2001 working in Uniformed Patrol and the High Schools as a School Liaison Officer. In 2006 he moved over to the Hamilton Police Service working in Frontline Patrol as well as being a part of the High Enforcement Action Team, Divisional Crime Manager and member of the Public Order Unit. In 2011 he was promoted to Sergeant, where he led investigations in the Crimes Against Children Unit and Frontline Patrol. In 2016 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant taking on roles in Frontline Patrol and the Case Preparation Unit. In 2023 he was promoted to Inspector working in the Field Support Unit, overseeing the Communications Branch, Case Preparation Unit, and Court Services, before moving over to the Investigative Services Division where he oversees Intelligence, Major Drugs and Gangs and the BEAR Unit.
As Project Sommes progressed the need to collaborate and work with partnering agencies was apparent. Project Sommes provided the opportunity to partner with other policing agencies, Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario, and work collectively with retail partners and members of Canada Border Services.