Mississauga Lawyer Appointed to PSB

(BRAMPTON) - Mr. Roland Willis, Q.C., a long time member of the Peel legal community, has been appointed to the Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board by the provincial government, effective April 3, 2002. Mr. Willis, who practices family law in Streetsville, replaces a resident of that community, Mr. Gary Harley, whose six-year term ended in February, 2002.

"I'm very honoured to be entrusted with this responsibility," says Mr. Willis. "Policing is one of the most visible and important public services in our community. I look forward to becoming involved in the delivery of those services through my role as a Board member."

Mr. Willis has a history of community service, ranging from being a Director of the Children's Aid Society of the Region of Peel, to being a Director and Chair of the Board of Directors of Rapport House Incorporated, a youth counseling organization in Brampton. He has been a member of the Advisory Board of Against Drunk Driving in Brampton, and has served as a founding Member and Director of the Peel Regional Housing Authority.

He is currently a member of the Peel Law Association, and served as its President from 1997 to 1999. He serves and is a member of a number of legal panels and associations and was a Director of Mississauga Community Legal Services. Mr. Willis was also Professor of Business Law at Sheridan College's Brampton Campus for a number of years. A partner in the Willis Family Fruit Farm, a 204 acre commercial farm in Milton that grows apples, soya beans and grain, he is also a member of the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association.

"I look forward to working with Mr. Willis," says Mr. Emil Kolb, Chair of the Board and Chairman of the Region of Peel. "I'm confident his record of community service will be of assistance as he assumes his new position."

Mr. Willis is a graduate of the Brampton District High School and the University of Toronto. He commenced his law practice with Pallett & Pallett, served as a Deputy Judge, and returned to the practice of law in 1978 with his own firm. He was appointed Queen's Counsel by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in 1979, and is certified as a Family Law Specialist by the Law Society of Upper Canada.

The Peel Police Services Board is comprised of seven members, three appointed by the provincial government, three municipal councillors from the Regional Council of Peel, and a citizen appointment made by Regional Council. It governs and acts as the employer for the Peel Regional Police, the second largest municipal police service in Ontario, with almost 2,000 members.

For further information:

Frederick Biro, Executive Director, Peel Police Services Board,
(905) 458-1340