Police Service Board Elects New Chair and Vice Chair

Nyarayi Kapisavanhu was elected to serve as Chair of the Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Service Board at the Board’s first meeting of the year, held on January 8, 2026. Regional Councillor Pat Chiocchio was elected to serve as Vice-Chair. The two members have formally exchanged roles for the 2026 term.

“I want to thank the members of the Board for their confidence and support,” said Chair Kapisavanhu. “I am grateful for the opportunity and privilege to serve as Chair of the Police Service Board. I sincerely thank Pat Chiocchio for his strong leadership as Chair in 2025. His guidance and steady leadership have been invaluable, and I greatly appreciate his continued support as Vice-Chair.”

Chair Kapisavanhu added, “As we look ahead to 2026, the Board remains committed to advancing adequate and effective police governance, strengthening accountability and transparency, and working closely with Chief Fordy and his leadership team. Key priorities will include oversight of strategic objectives, building community trust and safety, fiscal responsibility, and continued support for the well-being and professionalism of our Service.”

Chair Kapisavanhu was appointed by Niagara Regional Council as its community representative to the Police Service Board on February 23, 2023. She previously served two consecutive terms as Vice-Chair in 2024 and 2025. She is a dedicated community leader and advocate with a strong record of service and impact across the Niagara Region. In addition to her public service, Chair Kapisavanhu holds the ICD.D designation from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management Directors Education Program, reflecting her commitment to excellence in governance, policy, accountability, and strategic decision-making. Her leadership is informed by extensive experience in the Corporate, International Development and Not-for-Profit sectors, including her work with TOES Niagara, where she has focused on advancing economic, educational, and social empowerment and anti-human trafficking initiatives, and contributing to published research projects. Known for her collaborative and visionary approach, Chair Kapisavanhu remains deeply committed to making Niagara a thriving and inclusive region for all residents.

Vice-Chair Pat Chiocchio was appointed by Niagara Regional Council to the Police Service Board on December 1, 2022, for a four-year term (2022–2026). He served as Chair of the Board in 2025 and is honoured to continue his service as Vice-Chair.

“Serving as Chair over the past year was an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Vice-Chair Chiocchio. “It deepened my appreciation for the responsibility we carry as a Board, the professionalism of our Service, and the importance of strong governance and collaboration. As Vice-Chair, I remain fully committed to supporting the Board, the Service, and our community. I have great confidence in Chair Kapisavanhu’s leadership and look forward to working closely with her as we build on the momentum established over the past year.”

Vice-Chair Chiocchio spent his professional career in the public sector with the Niagara Region Community Services Department and retired in 2018 after 35 years of dedicated service. He was first elected as a City Councillor for the City of Welland in 2003 and was re-elected in 2006, 2010, and 2014. During his tenure, he served on numerous committees and boards, including Chair of the Integrated Services Committee, Transit Advisory Committee, Welland Safe Community Partnership, and Health Care Committee. He was also a member of the Economic Development Committee, Budget Review Committee, and Welland Hydro Board. He served as City Councillor until his election to Regional Council in 2018. As a Regional Councillor, Vice-Chair Chiocchio has served as Co-Chair of the Regional Public Health and Social Services Committee and currently serves on the Budget Review Committee, Public Works Committee, Regional Development Charge Policy Task Force, and Transportation Steering Committee. He is an active community volunteer, having coached and volunteered with several local sports organizations and supported the MS Society of Canada, Niagara Peninsula Chapter of Hope.

The election of the Chair and Vice-Chair is consistent with Section 36 of the Community Safety and Policing Act and the Board’s Procedural By-law, which requires the Board to elect its executive officers at the first meeting of each calendar year.

Other members of the Police Service Board include Regional Councillor Laura Ip (St. Catharines), Regional Councillor Bill Steele (Mayor of Port Colborne), and provincially appointed representatives Kevin Gibson (Wainfleet) and Tara McKendrick (Welland). One provincial appointment remains vacant at the time of this release.

The Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Service Board is comprised of seven members, three members appointed from Regional Council, one private citizen appointed by Regional Council, and three provincial appointees. It is the civilian governing authority for the Niagara Regional Police Service, the oldest regional police service in Ontario that patrols one of the largest geographical regions. The Niagara Regional Police provides policing and public safety to 12 municipalities, over 500,000 residents and an estimated 13,000,000 visitors annually.

For further information contact:

Deb Reid, Executive Director

Niagara Police Services Board

(905) 688-4111 Extension 1006022