Deputy Chief Mario Lagrotteria

Deputy Chief Mario Lagrotteria began his policing career in 2001 as a Constable with Peel Regional Police. In 2006, he joined the Niagara Regional Police Service, initially serving as a Front Line
Constable in uniform patrol where he also took on the roles of Coach Officer and Scenes of Crime Officer.

From 2008 to 2013, he worked as a Detective Constable in the Criminal Investigation Unit. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2013, serving as a Uniform Platoon Sergeant and later in Central Holding. In 2017, he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, overseeing Prisoner Management & Quality Assurance, followed by a role leading Communications & Dispatch.

In 2020, he was promoted to Inspector and assigned to the Duty Office. He subsequently served as District Commander for both 2 District and 3 District, managing police operations across Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Port Colborne, Wainfleet, Welland, and West Lincoln.
His promotion to Superintendent in 2023 placed him at the helm of Corporate Services, providing strategic leadership to key operational support units including Fleet Services, Quarter Masters, Finance, Records Information & Management, and Evidence Management.

In 2024, he returned to District Operations, overseeing frontline patrol, District Detective and Street Crime Units, and Community Engagement. His portfolio included Community Oriented Response & Engagement (CORE), Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, and the Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST).
On March 14, 2025, he was officially appointed Deputy Chief of Community Services by the Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Service Board.

Deputy Chief Lagrotteria holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Forensic Science and Biology, and a minor in Anthropology from the University of Toronto. He is a graduate of the Police Leadership Executive Program at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and completed the 282nd session of the FBI National Academy, earning a Certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia.

Throughout his career, Deputy Chief Lagrotteria has received numerous commendations for outstanding police work and has been awarded the Police Exemplary Service Medal by the Governor General of Canada. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the FBI National Academy Association.

Beyond his policing career, Deputy Chief Lagrotteria is deeply involved in his community. He currently serves as Vice-Chair for Victim Services Niagara and as a Board Member for Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold. He is also a former Head Coach and Club Vice-President of the St. Catharines Jets Soccer Club.