Deb Reid - Chief Governance Officer

Deb Reid serves as Chief Governance Officer (CGO) of the Niagara Regional Police Service Board, where she is responsible for the strategic policy and operational management of the Board’s business in support of effective civilian governance of policing. She provides advice to the Chair and Board Members on governance, policy, legislative compliance, and emerging issues in policing and community safety, ensuring the Board fulfills its statutory mandate with transparency, accountability, and integrity.

In her role, Deb oversees all aspects of Board operations, including governance frameworks, policy development and review, strategic planning, communications, risk management, and financial oversight. She ensures the Board’s decisions and official records are implemented and aligned with legislative requirements and best practices, while proactively monitoring the evolving policing landscape at the municipal, provincial, and national levels.

As a trusted key liaison, Deb fosters strong relationships with the Chief of Police, senior leadership, government partners, and community stakeholders. She plays a central role in shaping the Board’s strategic direction, supporting informed decision-making, and advancing public confidence through open and transparent governance processes.

Deb brings more than two decades of experience in police governance and public sector leadership. She was appointed Executive Director of the Niagara Police Service Board in 2001, following her tenure with the Peel Police Service Board and earlier service with Peel Regional Police.
She is an active contributor to the broader policing governance community, having served for over 15 years as Secretary-Treasurer for Zone 4 of the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards (OAPSB). She has also supported governance training development and contributed to provincial and national associations, policing conferences and initiatives. Deb is a member of Ontario Women in Law Enforcement, International Association of Women in Policing, and an associate member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

In recognition of her leadership and longstanding contribution to civilian police governance, Deb received the Canadian Association of Police Governance (CAPG) Staff Award of Excellence in Police Governance. This national award recognizes her significant contributions to modernizing and advancing police governance, strengthening accountability and legislative compliance, and supporting strong and effective Board leadership.

Deb is widely recognized for her expertise in police governance, her strategic insight, and her commitment to strengthening accountability, oversight, and excellence in civilian governance of policing.