NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA POLICE SERVICE BOARD
************************
The Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Service Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Superintendent Mario Lagrotteria of the Niagara Regional Police Service as our Deputy Chief of Police effective March 14, 2025. Deputy Chief Lagrotteria is the newest member of the Executive Command Team serving as our third Deputy Chief of Police, Community Services.
Police Service Board Chair Pat Chiocchio says Deputy Chief Lagrotteria was the successful candidate selected from the outstanding senior officers within the Niagara Regional Police Service following an internal promotional process. “I am confident that Deputy Chief Lagrotteria possesses all of the skills and abilities required to assume this role and I also recognize his strong commitment to both the NRPS and the community. I look forward to Deputy Chief Lagrotteria being an integral part of the Executive Command Team as we move forward.”
Deputy Chief Lagrotteria began his policing career in 2001 as a Peel Regional Police Constable. He was hired by the Niagara Regional Police Service in 2006 and was assigned to Uniform Patrol, also serving as a Coach Officer and Scenes of Crime Officer. He served as a Detective Constable in the Criminal Investigation Unit until 2013, when he was promoted to Sergeant and then Staff Sergeant responsible for supervision of Central Holding, Courts, Prisoner Management, and Communications and Dispatch. In 2020, he advanced to Inspector and was responsible for incident command and police operations in Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Port Colborne, Wainfleet, Welland, and West Lincoln. In 2023, he was promoted to the rank of Superintendent where his responsibilities included strategic leadership and management of the Service in operational and administrative leadership of Corporate Services and District Operations. He was recently serving as the Acting Deputy Chief of Community Services providing oversight and leadership to 580 Service members.
Deputy Chief Lagrotteria has completed an Honours Bachelor of Science with a Double Major in Forensic Science and Biology, and Minor in Anthropology. He is also a graduate of the Police Leadership Executive Program at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. He is a graduate of the 282nd session of the FBI National Academy, receiving a certificate in Criminal Justice Education from the University of Virginia.
Throughout his career Deputy Chief Lagrotteria has been the recipient of several commendations for outstanding police work. Deputy Chief Lagrotteria has been awarded the Police Exemplary Service Medal by the Governor General of Canada and currently serves as a member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, and previously served as a member of the Alcohol, Gaming and Cannabis Committee.
Deputy Chief Lagrotteria is an active member of the community, where he currently volunteers as the Vice-Chair of Victim Services Niagara, and Board Member with Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold. He is also a former Head Coach and Club Vice-President of the St. Catharines Jets Soccer Club.
“I am proud to welcome Mario Lagrotteria to his new role as Deputy Chief of Police,” says Chief of Police Bill Fordy. “His appointment reflects his outstanding work and commitment to public safety. I look forward to working with Deputy Chief Lagrotteria, alongside Deputy Chiefs Greco and Waselovich, and together as a team, with the members of the Board and the entire Police Service as he assumes his new leadership position.”
Deputy Chief Lagrotteria says, “It is both an honour and a privilege to have been selected by the Board to serve as Niagara’s newest Deputy Chief. I look forward to working closely with the Board, Chief of Police Fordy, and Deputy Chiefs Greco and Waselovich, as we continue to build strong community partnerships, while enhancing public safety, reducing crime, and prioritizing member wellness. I am committed to working collaboratively with our community partners, recognizing that fostering relationships and enhancing community safety and well-being is a collective effort.”
An Introduction Ceremony for Deputy Chief of Police Lagrotteria will take place at a date and time to be announced.
The Niagara Police Service Board is a seven-member civilian body established under Provincial legislation that is responsible for governing the Niagara Regional Police Service and for the recruiting and appointment of the Chief and Deputy Chiefs of Police.
The Niagara Regional Police Service was founded in 1971, and currently has a complement of 1179 members. It is the oldest regional police service in Ontario and patrols one of the largest geographical regions. The Niagara Regional Police Service provides policing and public safety to 12 municipalities, totaling some 540,000 residents and an estimated 14,000,000 visitors annually.
************************
