New City Police Chief Rodd and Deputy Chief Meeks Sworn In

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Following a special ceremony held Monday at the Quinte Courthouse, the Belleville Police Administration began a new chapter in its life.

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Judge Elaine Deluzio presided over the swearing-in ceremony of new city police Chief Murray Rodd and Deputy Police Chief Sheri Meeks to their new positions.

Together they will lead a 100-strong force of officers tasked with keeping the city safe and prepared for future law and order challenges, including one of the fastest growing per capita population rates in Canada, the opioid crisis and a slight increase in violent crime in 2023.

The court gallery was packed with city officials, including Mayor Neil Ellis and members of the City Council, Acting Police Board Chair Heather Smith, police officers and friends and family who witnessed the handover to the new administration by Acting Police Chief Chris Barry, who is retiring Oct. 7.

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Rodd took command after 35 years of service with Peterborough Police, including as Chief Constable for the last decade.

Meeks is a 28-year veteran of the Belleville Police Department, known for her involvement in numerous community organizations. She rose through the ranks from officer and sergeant to inspector before being named the first female deputy constable in the city’s history.

Both assumed their new duties immediately after being sworn in by Judge Deluzio.

Chief Rodd said he was honored to be selected to lead the 188-year-old police department and that his tenure in Peterborough would be a good opportunity for him to improve the management of the well-run Belleville Police Department.

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“You know what? This is a well-run, well-directed police service, a very modern, very effective force that I’ve ever seen. Everywhere I go in this building (Belleville Police Headquarters), the members, the civilian volunteers and the helpers, they’re all professionals,” Rodd said.

“So you are lucky to have such a good team and I am honored to be its new leader,” he said.

Deputy Police Chief Meeks said she looks forward to working with Police Chief Rodd, with whom she has worked previously during police training and educational sessions.

“I think it’s really important because it’s about relationships and we’re not strangers. We’ve gotten to know each other. We’ve worked together on education, training and professional development, so I have a lot of respect for him and his leadership and I think we’re going to work very well together with my knowledge of the community and his experience as a leader and a chief,” Meeks said.

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