Paul VandeGraaf was appointed as the 13th Chief of Police of the Cobourg Police Service on August 15, 2019, by the Cobourg Police Services Board.

Paul began his policing career in 1991 as a member of the Belleville Police Service, working as a front-line Constable. Over the course of his career, Paul has held a number of progressively responsible positions including; Community Policing Officer, Bike Patrol, Traffic Services, Criminal Investigations focusing on sexual assault and child abuse investigations, Uniform Staff Sergeant, Inspector and finally appointed as the Deputy Chief of Police for the Belleville Police in 2010.

On November 10, 2014, Paul was appointed as the Deputy Chief for the Cobourg Police Service. Chief VandeGraaf is a member of the Canadian and Ontario Associations of Chiefs of Police. Paul currently serves as the Vice Chair of the National Joint Committee Of Senior Criminal Justice Officials and a Board Member for the Ontario Police Technology Information Cooperative (OPTIC).

Paul has always been and continues to be a strong believer in community volunteerism. Paul’s previous volunteer efforts have been with minor hockey in roles, including Vice-President, Victim Services and others. Paul has been an active Rotarian with both the Rotary Club of Belleville and now Cobourg. Paul served as Club President in Belleville in 2013-2014 being recognized with a Presidential Citation with Distinction and being awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. Currently, Paul is honoured to be a member of the YMCA Northumberland Board of Directors and Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre. In September 2016, Paul was invested as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces by his Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston.

Chief VandeGraaf is committed to enhancing the effectiveness of operational policing services through effective deployment of resources in what has become known as “tiered policing.” This shared vision with the Cobourg Police Services Board will ensure that there are long-term strategies to build a strong, innovative and fiscally responsible Service for the Town of Cobourg.

Paul and his wife Cathy are proud parents to their two grown children Meaghan and Ian.