Although the Niagara Regional Police Service was established only 37 years ago on January 1st, 1971, the individual Police Forces that it was incorporated from have a history that goes back to the 1800s.  In 1845, St. Catharines became a town, and implemented “pound-keepers and constables” who were largely made up of volunteers and were essentially paid by piece work. It wasn’t until five years later that the Legislature of Upper Canada (which had previously been situated in Niagara-On-The-Lake) passed a regulation that made mayors and town or city councils responsible for law enforcement. The decision led to Adam Montgomery being hired as the first Chief Constable of St. Catharines, and three full-time constables being hired for a dollar-a-day six years later.

The first officers walked a beat to patrol areas, and this is a method of patrolling areas that has endured over time.  Niagara Regional Police Service constables can still be seen on foot in certain locales and events in the Niagara Region, as vehicles simply aren't necessary for every situation.

The foot patrols of the early Police Force were a must however, as it wasn't until 1912 that the St. Catharines Police Force acquired their first patrol vehicles, which were two bicycles.  Although the Niagara Regional Police Service continues to have a Bicycle Patrol Unit to patrol parks, jogging trails, and other areas that would be inaccessible to our normal vehicles, the bicycles issued to officers in 1912 were the only method of transportation.

It would be another 12 years before this changed, and the first patrol cars were seen driving down the streets of St. Catharines.  The Niagara Falls Police Force fared better for transportation when they were formed in 1919, having their very own patrol car.  Such situations may seem quaint now, especially considering the fleet of vehicles for land and sea that we have today.

By 1970, there were 12 Police Forces in each of the municipalities, and the Niagara Regional Board of Commissioners of Police was formed to create a regional Police Force.  The next year, a regional government was established in the Niagara Region, and the Niagara Regional Police Force was founded. 

During the early days of the Niagara Regional Police there were a limited number of Members to the Force.  At its formation, there were 398 officers and 42 civilian employees.  Despite seeming small by today's standards, the joining of these smaller Police Forces into a larger one made the Niagara Regional Police Force one of the 10 largest Police Forces in Ontario.  As you might expect, this number has grown as the population of the Region increased.  In 2006, there were 647 officers, 291 civilians and 48 temporary employees making up its authorized strength.

Other changes have also occurred since our the formation as a regional police, such as staffing Units like Communications with civilian employees, so that officers are free to enforce the law rather than fulfill support positions for other constables.  This became especially important as new technologies, equipment and techniques evolved to require officers to become founding members of new Units.  The Niagara Regional Police formed a series of Units that specialized in specific areas and investigative techniques, including the Polygraph Unit, Sexual Assault Unit, Child Abuse Unit, Technical Crimes Unit, and many others as the years progressed.

A significant change occurred as policing shifted its traditional focus to one of community policing, and began forging partnerships with organizations and individuals who shared a common goal of public safety and service.  The name of the Niagara Regional Police Force was changed to reflect this focus in modern day policing, and it became the Niagara Regional Police Service.

Since becoming a Regional Police, our organization has been proactive in addressing important issues and a leader in many areas of law enforcement.  The Niagara Regional Police Service was the first Canadian Police Service on the Internet, and one of the first Ontario Police Services to transition from the revolver to the pistol (an important step in officer safety).  In addition to this, a member of our Forensic Unit created a patented blood spatter model that is used throughout the world in criminal cases.  We also took proactive approaches in sharing information with other law enforcement agencies, such as by providing Canine Unit training to other Police Services, and hosting conferences that allowed law enforcement to acquire and share information on fraud, substance abuse, child abuse investigations and other important issues.

The Niagara Regional Police Service continues to make history, by remaining current and staying ahead of new investigative techniques, technologies, and types of crime.  By staying true to our traditions and keeping a focus on the future, the Niagara Regional Police Service has remained a vital force in law enforcement, and an important service for the Niagara community.

For a more detailed look at the history of the Niagara Regional Police Service, visit A Brief History of the Niagara Regional Police Service on our Web site.