NIAGARA POLICE SERVICE BOARD CHAIR ELECTED TO PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATION

On June 1, 2026, Nyarayi Kapisavanhu, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Service Board was appointed to the Board of Directors of Police Governance Ontario (PGO) at its Annual General Meeting held from June 1 - 3, 2026 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. 

Chair Kapisavanhu was appointed by Niagara Regional Council as its community representative to serve on the Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Service Board on February 23, 2023.  In this capacity, she has served as Vice-Chair for two terms and is currently Chair of the Niagara Police Service Board.  Chair Kapisavanhu is the Executive Director of TOES Niagara and is a globally experienced governance, education, and policy leader. She holds a Bachelor of Education, a Masters of Business Administration, and ICD.D Designation.   She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee for the National Council of Women Canada as well as on the Program Advisory Committee for Master of Health Care Management and Master of Arts of Applied Social Psychology Programs at the University of Niagara Falls.  She is the past President of the Niagara District Council of Women, past President of SOFIFRAN, past Board Trustee at Brock University and past Board Director at YWCA Niagara. With global leadership experience her work focuses on public safety, institutional accountability, education, and equity-informed governance.

Chair Kapisavanhu says, “I’m honoured to be appointed to Police Governance Ontario and contribute to advancing excellence in police governance across the province.  Effective governance is essential to building public trust, supporting accountable policing, and strengthening community safety.  I look forward to working with colleagues across Ontario to share best practices and support the evolving role of Police Service Boards.”

The PGO is the provincial organization supports civilian police governance across the province. The PGO helps Police Service Boards, OPP Detachment Boards, and First Nations Boards govern with clarity, confidence, and accountability.  The PGO, (formerly the Ontario Association of Police Service Boards) and its predecessor, the Municipal Police Authorities (MPA) have been in existence for over 60 years assisting Police Service Boards in discharging their duties of governance and oversight.   Their work focuses on building strong governance, strengthening public trust, and supporting Board members with the education, tools, and the advocacy needed to serve their communities well.

The Niagara Police Service Board is the civilian body responsible for governing the Niagara Regional Police Service.  It is responsible for the provision of adequate and effective police services to the residents of Niagara Region. Founded in 1971, the Niagara Regional Police Service is Ontario’s oldest regional police service.  It serves 12 municipalities, covering one of the province’s largest geographical areas, with a team of 1,200 sworn and civilian members.  The NRPS provides policing and public safety services to approximately 540,000 residents and welcomes an estimated 14 million visitors annually.

For further information contact:

Deb Reid, Chief Governance Officer
Niagara Regional Police Service Board
Deb.Reid@niagarapolice.ca 
5700 Valley Way, Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 1X8
(905) 688-4111 Ext. 1006022