The Cobourg Police Services Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Doctor Ronald Kerr to the Cobourg Police Services Board as its’ newest member. He was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, by and with the advice and concurrence of the Executive Council of Ontario. His appointment is for a period not to exceed three years.
“We welcome Dr. Ron Kerr to the Police Services Board. Dr. Kerr is a long-time Cobourg resident. With a solid background in governance, military, medical and community service experiences we believe he will be an excellent addition to our team”, says Board Chair Dean Pepper. On Thursday February 7th, 2019 Dr. Kerr was sworn in as the fourth Cobourg Police Services Board member. In addition to Dr. Kerr, the Board currently consists of Chair Dean Pepper, Mayor John Henderson, and Councillor Aaron Burchat. The fifth Board position remains vacant pending an appointment by the provincial government.
Dr. Ron Kerr
Biography
Ron comes from a military background and moved frequently during his formative years.
After graduating from Trenton High School, Ron attended the University of Toronto, graduating in 1966 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree. Upon graduation from University he served in the Canadian Forces Dental Corps for 5 years. He moved to Cobourg in 1971 and opened a private dental practice which he operated for 30 years.
Ron has always attempted to play an active role, both locally and provincially, for a number of years he volunteered as a soccer coach and swim meet official. In 2011 he received a Volunteer
Service Award from the Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration in recognition of his work with the Golf Association of Ontario. Ron has in the past and continues to make significant contributions as a 30 year member of The Rotary Club of Cobourg.
Ron has twenty years of experience as a Board member, having served on the Boards of the Northumberland YMCA, the Dalewood Golf Club and currently sits on the Board of The Rotary Club of Cobourg. He also has considerable administrative experience having served as a Tribunal member with the Office of The Commissioner of Review Tribunals for six years, a quasi-judicial body which dealt with Canada Pension Plan Disability and Old Age Security Appeals, a role which required the understanding and administration of complex legislation.
Board Mandate
Section 31 of the Police Services Act defines the role of the Board.
The Cobourg Police Services Board is the civilian body that governs the management of the Cobourg Police Service. As mandated by the Ontario Police Services Act, the Board consists of five members, three appointed by Cobourg Town Council and two appointed by the Province of Ontario
The Board ensures the delivery of adequate and effective policing by appointing members to the Service, working with the Chief in identifying objectives and priorities and by creating policies for Service members to follow.
The primary role of the Board is to ensure the delivery of adequate and effective policing and to establish, after consultation with the Chief of Police, the overall objectives and priorities for the provision of police service.
The Chief of Police is responsible for administering the police service and overseeing its operation in accordance with the objectives, priorities and policies established by the Board.
The Chief of Police reports to the Board as a whole and is not accountable to any one or group of Board members. The Board has the authority to give orders and direction to the Chief of Police, but not to other members of the Service. The Board shall not direct the Chief with respect to specific operational decisions or with respect to day-to-day operations of the Service.
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