Police Services Board

The City of Hamilton Police Services Board is the civilian body governing the Hamilton Police Service. It is responsible for the provision of adequate and effective police services, law enforcement and crime prevention within the City, a duty it discharges through the enactment of policies. The Board will generally determine, after consultation with the Chief of Police, objectives and priorities for the police service. The Board is responsible for the police budget, oversees the actions of the Chief of Police and is the employer for the police service.
 
The Board is responsible for the provision of adequate and effective police services in the municipality and its authority is set out in Section 31 of the Ontario Police Services Act.

The Board is comprised of seven members and according to the Ontario Police Services Act, will consist of the head of the municipal council, two members of council, three people appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and one person appointed by resolution of council.

Mayor Andrea Horwath

Andrea Horwath is proud to be a life-long Hamiltonian. Born and raised in Stoney Creek, she went to Cardinal Newman high school, followed by post-secondary studies at McMaster University. She’s lived in a number of the city’s great neighbourhoods and now calls downtown home.Prior to being elected she worked in adult ESL and literacy, affordable housing, community development, in factories and as a server in the hospitality sector.
In 1997, she was elected to Hamilton City Council, representing Ward 2. Over three terms, she chaired the solid waste management committee, the municipal non-profit housing corporation,and co-chaired the health and social services committee. She did everything she could to fight for people and the small local businesses in the ward.
In 2004, Hamiltonians elected her to be the MPP for Hamilton Centre. As a voice for Hamilton and Ontario’s Leader of the Official Opposition, she focused on improving education and health care, making housing affordable, protecting the environment and giving working people the respect they deserve.
In 2022, Andrea was elected to be the Mayor of Hamilton and hit the ground running.For her, it’s about people. Hamilton and Hamiltonians are her pride and her inspiration, and she’s working to make sure Hamilton’s best days are ahead. She believes, together, we can fulfill the promise of a thriving Hamilton —the best place to live, to learn, to raise a family and to build a great life.

Councillor Cameron Kroetsch

 

Councillor Esther Pauls

 

Esther Pauls was born in Sicily and immigrated to Canada in 1963.  From 1973 to 1988, she worked at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) while raising 4 sons and coached hockey for 4 years.  She attended Mohawk College to obtain a Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) license. A sport enthusiast, she competed in nine Ironman competitions, over 20 marathons, over 30 half-marathons, 5 Around The Bay races, and numerous other races throughout North America.   Combining their avid athleticism with their enthusiastic entrepreneurship, Esther and her husband Gord opened Runner’s Den in 1996 and leveraged significant charitable fundraising, organizing the Road2Hope marathon benefitting Haiti and local charities, including City Kidz, Liberty For Youth, Boys and Girls Club, and Edudeo.  Esther’s leadership, philanthropy, and community services, including her work as a Coordinator for Strengthening Hamilton’s Community Initiative, were recognized with prestigious awards and honours including the YMCA Peace Medal, the Athena Award, the Woman of the Year Award, Spirit Award, and being selected as a torchbearer for the 2015 Pan-Am Games held in Canada.  Most recently, Esther took up another kind of running – running for public office – and was elected as the Hamilton City Councillor for Ward 7 in both 2018 and 2022.

 

Pat Mandy(Chair)

Pat is a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. She is a respected health care leader with more than 40 years of experience in a variety of leadership roles in healthcare, change management, regulatory, governance and educational settings. 

Pat retired from the position of Chief Executive Officer, Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network in 2010.  

She has extensive linkages with the community in a variety of roles, including Past President of the College of Nurses of Ontario, Past Chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth District Health Council, and Past, and current, Chair of De dwa de dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre. 

She has been recognized with several awards for her contributions to healthcare as provider, mentor, and educator, her volunteer roles, and her active commitment to the well-being of the Aboriginal community.  Pat is the recipient of the 2016 Indspire Award in the category of health.  In June 2017, Pat was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada

 

Robert Elms

Robert George Elms is currently Managing Director and Consultant at SAGE Strategic Insight and Analysis Incorporated. He is also a former Special Advisor on Military Heritage, Protocol and Veterans Affairs at Office of the Mayor of the City of Hamilton and a former Colonel with the Canadian Armed Forces. His community involvement includes serving as Governor and Director for Hamilton Division Corps of Commissionaires.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mel Athulathmudali

Mel Athulathmudali

Mel Athulathmudali is a longtime resident of Hamilton. He was born in Sri Lanka, and after his parents immigrated to Canada, spent his childhood and most of his adulthood in the area.

His professional life is varied and diverse, and includes 25 years at Air Transat as a Flight Director in addition to working in the Cabin Safety & Training, and Catering & Commissary departments. He runs a catering company and recently has worked as an educator at Strata Montessori School. 

He attended Hillfield-Strathallan College, McMaster University and The Stratford Chef’s School, and is currently an Alumni Class representative for HSC and on the Alumni Board of the Chef’s School. 

He has been actively involved with many local non-profit organizations, including St Joseph’s Villa, Centre3 and the Well, Hamilton’s LGTBQ Wellness Centre. 

He currently lives in Hamilton with his partner, Philip and Stuart the Airedale. 

Fred Bennink(Vice Chair)

Fred Bennink was appointed as the City of Hamilton Community rep to the HPS Board on March 27, 2019.

Fred considers public safety to be one of the most important services for a community to uphold. He hopes that his previous board experiences, his history of consensus building, budget/financial management, and his desire to help people ‘be the best they can be’, will be an asset to the Hamilton Police Services Board.

The outdoor sign industry is where Fred spent 35 years, as owner/President of Zip Signs Ltd. He retired in 2018. Fred has served the outdoor sign industry in many areas, including the Provincial Industry Board and the National Board, as well as assisting in International endeavours in specific areas in the industry.

Assisting and learning through volunteering has been important to Fred as demonstrated by over 30 years of community service. His board experience includes Hospital Foundation, Canadian Food Grains Bank, Hamilton Dream Center, an international relief and development organization, a Mental Health organization, and a Family Services organization in Hamilton. Fred has also served in his local church and through various committees.

Fred is a former Auxiliary Constable, a volunteer position with the Hamilton Police Service.

Fred has been married to Arlene for 39 years and they have 3 children and 4 grandchildren.

All members serve on a part-time basis.

Statement of Commitment

The Hamilton Police Service is committed to fostering a strong culture of human rights and inclusiveness in policing in Hamilton.

Contact Us

Administrator Kirsten Stevenson
Address 155 King William Street
Hamilton, Ontario
L8N 4C1
Phone (905)546-2727
Fax (905)546-4720
Email  [email protected]