Niagara Regional Police Chief Receives Governor General’s Order of Merit

A Foreword from Niagara At Large

The Niagara Regional Police Service’s higher-than-inflation budget increases in recent years may not be a a big hit with municipal ratepayers, many of whom have not seen a similar two-to-three percent increase in their pensions or hourly wages for quite a few years.

Niagara Regional Police Chief Wendy Southall

But it is unclear if the federal Conservative government of Stephen Harper, which is all about pouring billions of dollars more of our money out on its get-tough-on-crime program, cares all that much about this. Most recently, this June 8, it has awarded NRPC Chief Wendy Southall with a “merit award.”

One wonders if those of us who are lower down on the foodchain, yet are still struggling to pay our taxes at the federal, provincial and federal level, should not get a merit award also, simply for trying to do that!.

This is nothing against Wendy Southall as a person, who seems to be one of the best police chief’s Niagara, Ontario has had since regional government was established more than 40 years ago. Yet why do are governments continue to pin badges of honour on those making six-digit salaries while so many of the rest of us are being screwed?

Below  is the prepared statement from the federal government on Chief Southall’s award.

Ottawa – St. Catharines MP Rick Dykstra and Niagara West-Glanbrook MP Dean Allison were on hand at Rideau Hall today to see Niagara Regional Police Chief Wendy Southall become an Office of the Order of Merit of Police Officers.  Chief Southall was one of 7 officers and 36 members presented with the award by Governor General David Johnston.  

“Chief Southall and the entire Niagara Regional Police Service’s commitment to a safer Niagara Region was recognized today,” said Dykstra.  “Receiving the Order of Merit of Police Officers is a fitting tribute; not only to the Chief, but to the police officers she leads.”

This honour was created in 2000, to recognize conspicuous merit and exceptional service by members and employees of the Canadian police forces whose contributions extend beyond protection of the community. Three levels of membership with post-nominal letters reflect long-term, outstanding service: Commander (C.O.M.), Officer (O.O.M.) and Member (M.O.M.).

“We appreciate the time and the commitment that the Chief has made to Niagara,” said Allison.  “Her leadership as our Chief is making our community safer each and every day.”

Chief of Police Wendy Southall became the seventh Chief of Police in the history of the Niagara Regional Police Service on January 1, 2005.

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