By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Though the special meeting of the Cobourg Police Services Board had one item on the agenda (“update from Board Chair Adam Bureau” followed by a closed session), it opened with no audio – and the sound clicking in in time for listeners to hear Chief Paul VandeGraaf resigning.
It wasn’t until his later remarks that it became clear that this resignation does not take place immediately, but the first words viewers heard were the chief saying, “…hadn’t planned to step away just yet, but recent reflections and evolving circumstances have made it very clear that now is the right time to close this chapter and open a new one.
“It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve the residents of Cobourg as your chief. Together, we have accomplished great milestones with the unwavering support of our Police Services Board, Police Association, town council, our community partners and especially those who serve,” Vandegraaf said.
“Most importantly, I have had the unwavering support and trust of the members of the Police Association and this board. That is a gift I do not take lightly.
“I have always said being a police officer is the best job in the world,” he said, taking a pause.
“There have been many, many times where the job has been all-consuming and ha deprived my family of a husband and father,” he added, taking another pause.
“It’s now time for me to step away from the office of chief and devote my time to my family and future endeavours yet to be determined.
“You have empowered me to lead with integrity, take risks when necessary, and always keep the greater good in view, I am truly proud of what we have accomplished together.”
VandeGraaf said that this move is “100% my decision.
“I leave with immense appreciation, respect and pride in everything we have accomplished together.”
Bureau has worked with the chief since becoming counsellor seven years ago. He related that VandeGraaf came to Cobourg in 2014 as Deputy Chief and was sworn in as chief in 2019. The interim represents a time of enormous change that has not been limited to Cobourg.
As an example, the 2013 annual report lists total drugs seized with a street value of $97,000. Then came fentanyl, and a recent joint search warrant executed in partnership with the Port Hope Police Service seized some 472 grams of fentanyl with an estimated street value of $320,000.
There have also been challenges such as the multi-year COVID-19 pandemic and the rising number of incidents resulting from mental health, addiction and homelessness issues.
“Our growing community has seen a growing hostility,” Bureau added, along with a return of discrimination to a degree no one could have imagined. During it all, VandeGraaf “led with a heavy hand, a steady hand, and thoughtful insight.”
Bureau recalled that VandeGraaf’s inaugural address had contained the pledge that innovation would be the theme of his tenure. True to his word, Bureau said, “the Cobourg Police Services has evolved beyond reactive incident-based policing to an integrated community-centred model” – one that is better suited to the community’s evolving needs with programs like the Mental Health Engagement Response Team.
And that’s not to mention their innovations at Venture 13 such as the Police Tech Accelerator.
“Thank you for your commitment to service. It has been an honour working alongside you,” Bureau stated.
The other board members offered their own congratulations.
Vice-chair Sean Graham said that, like former chair Ron Kerr, he had butted heads with the chief occasionally – “but always for a good reason, and I have always had the greatest respect for you. This police service is better off now than when you picked it up.”
VandeGraaf closed the meeting with further remarks that clarified the timing of his departure.
“As I told my staff today, it’s six months away, so tomorrow we get back to work. We have work to do, we have challenges to overcome, and our team will continue to proceed and I will be at the helm. This is a few months away,” he said.
“Thank you very much for all the comments. I truly appreciate that. I feel overwhelmed by that. Most importantly, all those accolades? I don’t deserve any of them. It’s the team.”
With that, Bureau declared there would be no closed session, and the 16-minute meeting was adjourned.
The six-month window means Chief VandeGraaf will be around to continue his efforts to have the service’s 2026 budget approved with its 20.5% increase, which he insists has no further discretionary room to cut.
A statement released after the meeting pegged his retirement time frame to June 2026, and listed career milestones. He began his policing career in 1991 in Belleville, came to the Cobourg Police Service in 2014 as Deputy Chief, and was sworn in as Cobourg’s13th Chief of Police in 2019.
Police Service Board Adam Bureau’s remarks
And while I do not like to follow an exceptional public speaker such as yourself, if I may take a moment, I have some words of my own I would like to share.
Before coming here today, the Chief did provide me with notice of his resignation. Which has allowed me some time to reflect on the last seven years.
Chief VandeGraaf arrived to Cobourg in 2014 as Deputy Chief before being sworn in as Chief in 2019.
In 2013, the Cobourg Police Service Annual Report listed the total drugs seized by the Criminal Investigations Bureau. The total estimated street value of drugs seized, was $97,000. At this time in our history, the list of illicit drugs cleared from our streets, did not include Fentanyl.
Flash forward to November of this year, where CPS, in partnership with Port Hope Police executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Search Warrant that resulted in the seizure of illicit drugs – including 472 g of fentanyl – with a total estimated street value of $320,000.
This is by no means a negative assessment of Cobourg, but a sombre reflection of the challenges communities across our country face.
In your seven-year tenure as Chief, our community has faced many up-hill battles. A pandemic, significant social challenges due to economic insecurity, mental health, addictions and homelessness.
Our global community has seen growing hostility and discrimination has once again raised its ugly head in ways we have not seen for decades.
Chief, through all of this you have led with a level head, steady hand and thoughtful insight. You have never remained silent on issues of justice and you have proven your unwavering commitment to integrity, fairness and accountability.
During your inauguration, you made a vow to this community that innovation would be the theme to define your tenure. As someone who has observed your career with keen interest, I can confirm for you today, that you have stayed true to your word
Under your leadership, the Cobourg Police Service has evolved beyond reactive, incident-based policing to an integrated, community centered model.
At your lead, CPS has supported individuals in crisis through the expansion of the Cobourg Police Homeless Addiction Resources Project and a transformative Community Partnership with the Canadian Centre for Addictions Cobourg, making a community bed available as well as a comprehensive range of services to individuals in need
Our CPS team is doing more proactive work to protect our aging and vulnerable populations from cyber threats and malicious attacks.
Our tiered service delivery model, combining uniformed officers with special constables, helps the CPS to delivery policing more effectively.
The Venture13 Police Tech Accelerator, a joint initiative of CPS and Nventure, has fostered new and groundbreaking technologies to support community policing.
Further, you have made it well known that you accomplished non of this on your own. But with the support and hard work of the members of our Cobourg Police Service.
A good leader knows no boundaries to find innovative solutions and has the courage to try new things. CPS has proven its willingness to evolve, and openness to embrace the insights of this community through increased community engagement programs and the neighbourhood watch pilot program. CPS is evolving from a traditional “enforcement-only” model to a more holistic, community-oriented policing service.
Chief, you have supported this community through major transition. Our community has benefitted greatly from your experience and knowledge. Your decision making has reflected your compassion for community, your professionalism, and quality service. You have cultivated trust within your team, our community partners and with all those you have served. And further, your lighthearted sarcasm has provided a welcomed healing during times of tension.
Thank you, sir, for your commitment to service. It has been an honour working alongside you.
VandeGraaf also sent a e-mail to members of the Cobourg Police Service on Wednesday, December 3, 2025
VandeGraaf stated that it was a “horrible” way to announce his resignation, but said he wanted to make sure staff were aware, “before media runs with the story.”
Saying it was with a sense of unexpected clarity and deep gratitude, “I am formally announcing my retirement as Chief of Police, effective June 1, 2026.”
VandeGraaf said serving as Chief for six years was “incredible.”
Even VandeGraaf admitted the decision comes as a surprise to him.
“But recent reflections and evolving circumstances have made it clear that now is the right time to close this chapter and open a new one.”
Stating to staff, “now time for me to step away from the office of Chief of Police and devote my time to my family and other endeavors.”
As stated to the Police Services Board, VandeGraaf said it’s been, “the honour of a lifetime” serving as Chief of the Cobourg Police Service.
“I have had the privilege of working alongside you and your talented teams. Together we have navigated complex challenges, and celebrated hard-earned progress. But most importantly, I’ve had the unwavering support and trust of each of you – a gift I do not take lightly.”
“We have right sized the Service from a staffing point of view, begun the conversations about a new facility and have established a strong path forward.”
Although VandeGraaf said his departure is sooner than expected, he’s confident of the future of the service.
As for now he stated, nothing will change and the Board will be commencing with a national search for the next Chief of Police.
But he hopes there will be room for consultation.
Saying it was an “extraordinary opportunity” to serve, he’s leaving with “immense appreciation, respect, and pride in all that we have built together.”
