The Barrie Police Service Board will hold its next public meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. to discuss service updates and community safety initiatives. The session is set to take place at the Barrie Simcoe Emergency Services Campus Community Room, located at 110 Fairview Road.
During the meeting, the board will formally introduce two newly promoted officers, Staff Sergeant Mike Velema and Sergeant Matt Mulhall. Additionally, the board is set to confirm the appointment of three special constables. Special constables are appointed for terms of up to three years to assist sworn officers, primarily working at the courthouse and in the cellblock at police headquarters.
The board, which operates under the Ontario Community Safety and Policing Act, is led by Chair Greg Ferguson and Vice Chair Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson. Other board members include Mayor Alex Nuttall, Arif Khan, and Lynn Strachan. The group oversees a police service with an authorized strength of 250 officers and 125+ civilian employees, supported by a 2026 budget of $78.4 million.
The meeting agenda also includes an update on social media statistics and a report from Chief Rich Johnston. The chief has previously emphasized an evidence-based approach to policing, noting that the service relies on data and analytics to focus resources on crime reduction. The discussion follows recent public interest in community safety, including ongoing efforts by the City Guardian program to address concerns related to substance abuse and disorderly conduct in the downtown area.
Those interested in reviewing the full agenda and meeting materials can find them on the Barrie Police Service Board website.
