Provincial appointee the new Chair of Niagara Police Services Board

A provincial appointee replaced the Port Colborne Mayor as the Chair of the Niagara Police Service Board following a vote at this morning’s (Jan. 26) meeting.

Due to the impending snow warning, the Police Services Board meeting was switched from live to a videoconference when it began this morning at 9 am.

Jen Lawson, a provincial appointee, was elected to serve as Chair, replacing Regional Councillor and Mayor of Port Colborne Bill Steele, who had served in that position for the past two years.

Dave Eke, also a provincial appointee, was re-elected as Vice-Chair for a third term.

“I’m honoured to have been elected Chair by the members of the Board.  I thank them for their support, and I look forward to working with our Board members, Chief Bryan MacCulloch, and the entire police service to ensure we have a safe and healthy community,” said Lawson.

“Strengthening accountability and transparency, as well as continuing our ongoing governance work and engagement with the Service and community members will continue to be a key priority for the Board in 2023.  Together, with Chief MacCulloch and his team, we will develop pro-active solutions that will improve policing services, prevent crime and enhance safety, security and quality of life for all citizens in Niagara Region.”

Eke also noted he was pleased to be re-elected as Vice-Chair, noting, “We have a knowledgeable and committed group and I look forward to continuing to work with the Board and the police service on meeting our goals and objectives.”

Lawson, a Chartered Professional Accountant, brings over 20 years of accounting experience from a diverse background in the public and private sectors covering manufacturing, family entertainment, hospital, university, regional and provincial governments.

While now retired from it, Eke does have a political background as he was first elected Alderman for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake in 1991 and was re-elected in 1994.  He was then elected as a Regional Councillor in 2000 and re-elected to serve a second term on Regional Council in 2003.  Finally, he became Lord Mayor for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2010.