Regional police announce new chief this afternoon
Posted Jul 15, 2014 07:40:16 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Waterloo Regional Police will announce their new police chief this afternoon at a special meeting of the Police Services Board.
This position has been vacant since former chief Matt Torigian left the force to become Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Community Safety.
Deputy Chief Steve Beckett has been filling in during the application process.
570News will have a reporter at this afternoon’s announcement.
History on Waterloo Chiefs of Police
As of December 12, 2007 Former Deputy Chief of Police, Matt Torigian, replaced the retiring Chief of Police, Larry Gravill. Gravill held the position since 1992. Herald Basse was Police Chief before Larry Gravill from 1979 to 1992. Wilfred Heinrich and Sid Brown preceded, Larry Gravill. Sid Brown was Police Chief from 1977 to 1979. And, Wilfred Heinrich served as Chief from 1973 to 1977.
Before 1973 each area municipality had their own Chief of Police. After, 1973 the municipalities were amalgamated to form Waterloo Regional Police Force which, was later renamed Waterloo Regional Police Service.
Since the amalgamation in 1973 The Waterloo Regional Police Service upholds their mission to develop strong leaders in preventing crime and law enforcement. It’s vision is to not only inspire and drive the values of the organization, but to also to improve the safety of all people.
The Chief position became open after Waterloo Regional Police Chief Matt Torigian announced he was retiring. Torigian has accepted a job as Deputy Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services with the Ontario government.
In 1991 the department changed its name from Waterloo Regional Police Force to Waterloo Regional Police Service. The change occurred because the word “force” was viewed by some as negative.
