Chief Catney Announces Retirement

( BRAMPTON )– Chief N. Catney met today with the Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board and advised he will be retiring effective December 31, 2005, stated Mr. Emil Kolb, Chair of the Board.

“Noel Catney has been a tremendous Chief of Police for our police service,” says Mr. Kolb. “He has overseen incredible growth, met new complex challenges and has left a permanent legacy of achievement and excellence as a standard for every member.”

Mr. Kolb says Chief Catney provided leadership at every level and in every sector of the community.

“In my mind, perhaps Noel’s most impressive personal accomplishment was his ability to connect with our community. Whether it was a specific ethnic group or working with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Noel has a knack for making a personal connection and a very real contribution with so many people that goes well beyond the role of a traditional chief of police.”

Mr. Kolb says Chief N. Catney was appointed Chief of Police on April 24, 1997, and will have been in that rank for over eight and a half years when he retires. He is the fourth chief of police in the history of the Peel Regional Police and will have served in that capacity longer then any of his predecessors, save and except Chief D. Burrows.

“It has been such a privilege and indeed an honour to lead the men and women of the Peel Regional Police,” says Chief N. Catney. “Equally, it has been an honour to have the opportunity to serve the residents of Peel for the past 35 years, since my first day as a constable.”

Chief Catney says he ranks among his personal accomplishments the growth and development of the entire police service, as it has handled the influx of approximately 30,000 new residents per year; reacting quickly and professionally to the complexities of a post 9/11 world, and overseeing the development and construction of the Kolb Centre for Excellence, which houses the recruiting and training bureau and numerous specialized units for the Peel Regional Police. Chief Catney went on to state that this facility, constructed at a cost of $38.4 million, continues to set the benchmark for police buildings in Canada, both in terms of design and cost-efficiency.

“I very proud of every uniform and civilian member of our police service,” says Chief Catney. “I know they will continue to set the benchmark for professionalism, dedication and excellence for the delivery of police service for years to come.”

Mr. Kolb says the Board will determine over the next few weeks on the process it will follow to hire a new Chief of Police. He adds that while Chief Catney is retiring, the Board will be seeking to retain his services on a personal basis to assist with a number of key policing issues, including the possible development of training material.

The Peel Regional Police is the second largest municipal police service in Ontario, comprised of 1,641 uniform members and 604 support staff. It provides policing services to the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga and to the Pearson International Airport under contract.

For further information: Frederick Biro, Executive Director 905-458-1340.