Niagara Regional Councillor Andy Petrowski handed in his resignation as Vice Chair of the Niagara Regional Police (NRP) Board as of 9 pm last night (Thursday Jan 21), although he will continue to serve as regional Councillor. In his letter, Petrowski made no mention of the public statements he has made on homosexual marriage and Syrian refugees that have caused much controversy. See the email written by Petrowski below:
At 9:00 p.m. this evening, I tendered my resignation as Vice Chair of Niagara Region Police Services Board to Regional Chair Caslin and Police Board Chair Gale. It’s with a heavy heart that I have made this decision but I want to give more time and attention to my loving family and my 97-year old father.
It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the wonderful people of St. Catharines and Niagara in my capacity as Vice Chair of the Police Services Board. My service on the Board has been a tremendously satisfying and rewarding experience. I am very proud of the great work we have accomplished and the bold initiatives we have undertaken including passing the first zero budget increase (with no reduction in services) in the history of the Board and seizing full ownership of the Business Planning process. I leave my role this day knowing that a new foundation for strong Board oversight has been laid and confident that the Region of Niagara is in the very capable and qualified hands of my fellow Board Members.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the devoted Members of the Board and the hard-working Board Office and to thank them all for their incredible commitment to ensuring our community receives the best and most effective police services possible.
I would also like to recognize those dedicated members of our Niagara Regional Police Services, above all, the brave front-line officers who make great sacrifices every day to keep the residents and visitors within Niagara safe.
May God bless and protect the City of St. Catharines and Niagara Region and may God bless and protect each and every person who lives therein.
I trust the media will respect my request for privacy regarding this difficult decision. I will not be providing any interviews.
Thank you kindly,
Andy Petrowski
Niagara Region Councillor & Vice Chair NRPS Board
THIS STATEMENT JUST IN FROM POLICE BOARD CHAIR ABOUT PETROWSKI RESIGNATION:
Given the numerous media enquiries about the public announcement of Mr. Petrowski’s resignation from the Niagara Police Services Board, Board Chair Bob Gale is releasing the following statement. Chair Gale will be making no further comment at this stage.
“Andy Petrowski always approached his role as Vice Chair of the Board with dedication and a commitment to serve the people of Niagara. He came to every Board and Committee meeting informed and ready to ask challenging questions and make tough decisions. He wasn’t afraid to put controversial subjects like street carding and body cams on the table. Even though he’s an independent thinker, he’s also a team player who was prepared to compromise when the Board needed to move forward.
There is no doubt Andy was one of the leading champions of the Police Service’s first zero budget increase. He was instrumental in opening up the Board’s Committee process which until this term held all of its meetings behind closed doors. He was also adamant that the Board take full responsibility for its consultation with the community for our Business Plan.
Andy has done yeoman’s work as Chair of our Licensing Committee. He insisted that we give every opportunity for all stakeholders represented by the three areas we license, taxis, tow trucks, and adult entertainment, to come forward and have their say on how we can ensure safe and fair delivery of these areas.
It’s been a pleasure to work alongside Andy as Vice Chair. We haven’t always agreed on everything, and most know that Andy and our Chief haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I am proud of Andy’s contribution to our Board.
Speaking on behalf of the Board, I am sure we will all miss his passion and willingness to serve our community. Personally, I wish him all the best and I completely understand and respect his desire to spend more time with his family and his father.”
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