The Niagara Regional Police Service Board has elected a new chair for 2026, with Nyarayi Kapisavanhu stepping into the role, succeeding Regional Councillor Pat Chiocchio.
Chiocchio and Kapisavanhu will be exchanging jobs, as Chiocchio will now serve as Vice-Chair, a role that Kapisavanhu held in 2024 and 2025.
Kapisavanhu is a community representative and was first appointed by Niagara Regional Council to the Police Services Board in February 2023.
“I want to thank the members of the Board for their confidence and support,” said Kapisavanhu in a media release. “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.”
“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,” Kapisavanhu added.
“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,” she concluded.
According to the Niagara Regional Police Service, Kapisavanhu holds an ICD.D. designation from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management Directors Education Program. She also has extensive experience in the corporate, international development, and not-for-profit sectors.
Vice-Chair Pat Chiocchio also released a statement upon his election to his new position.
“Serving as Chair over the past year was an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Chiocchio. “It has 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.
Along with Kapisavanhu and Chiocchio, 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). There is currently one vacant provincial appointment.
The Police Service Board is the civilian governing authority for the Niagara Regional Police Service and plays a key role in oversight and the police budget process.
Jay Goldberg is the Canadian Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center. He previously served as the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
