For Immediate Release: June 28, 2007

(Waterloo, ON) – Chief William Blair of Toronto Police Service has been sworn in as President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police’s (OACP) at the conclusion of the association’s 56th Annual Conference in Waterloo.  Chief Blair succeeds Chief Terry McLaren of Peterborough Lakefield Community Police.

“I’m pleased to take on this leadership role for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. Today’s police leaders have an important role to play in advocating for their members and for their communities”

Chief Blair praised the leadership of out-going President Chief McLaren (Peterborough Lakefield Community Police) during the past year.

“The OACP has a proud tradition of excellence in leadership and Chief McLaren exemplified that tradition. I am humbled to be following in his footsteps and in those of the leaders that came before him.”

Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Monte Kwinter congratulated Chief Blair on assuming the OACP Presidency.

“I congratulate Chief Blair on assuming the role of President of the OACP,” said Community Safety and Correctional Services Kwinter. “The McGuinty government and the OACP have a history of working together to build safe communities and we look forward to working with Chief Blair and his team.”

Chief Blair noted that the OACP will continue to advocate on behalf of all police services in the province on issues that impact the safety of the citizens of Ontario.

"Issues such as court security costs, adequate funding of police services in every part of the province, and justice issues –  especially the need to put the focus on the victims of crime – will be strongly advocated for by police leaders. During this election year, our association will empower our members to speak intelligently and thoughtfully on community safety and law enforcement issues.”

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2007-2008 OACP Board of Directors

President – Chief William Blair (Toronto Police Service)

Immediate Past-President – Chief Terry McLaren (Peterborough Lakefield Community Police)

First-Vice-President – Chief Ian Davidson (Greater Sudbury Police)

Vice-President – Chief Derek McElveny (Brantford Police Service)

Vice-President – Deputy Chief Robert Napier (Kingston Police)

Vice-President – Deputy Chief Chuck Mercier (Durham Regional Police)

Secretary-Treasurer – Chief Daniel Parkinson (Cornwall Community Police)

Ontario Provincial Police Director – Commissioner Julian Fantino

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Director – Assistant Commissioner Michel Seguin

First Nations Police Services Director – Chief Dave Whitelow (Mnjikaning Police Service)

Zone 1 Director – Chief Paul Cook (North Bay Police Service)

Zone 1A Director – Chief Dan Jorgensen (Kenora Police Service)

Zone 2 Director – Chief Stephen Tanner (Belleville Police Service)

Zone 3 Director – Staff Superintendent Peter Sloly (Toronto Police Service)

Zone 4 Director – Chief Wendy Southall (Niagara Regional Police)

Zone 5 Director – Chief Gerald McEwin (Stratford Police Service)

Zone 6 Director – Deputy Chief Gary Smith (Windsor Police Service)