A former probation and parole officer and a member of the Association of Black Law Enforcers is the newest member of the civilian board that oversees York Regional Police (YRP).
York Regional Council appointed Norma McCullough to the YRP Services Board for a two-year term that began on January 1. During her career with the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, McCullough was a member of the Probation and Parole Officers Association of Ontario and received the Correctional Services Exemplary Service Medal.
“With a background in correctional services and law enforcement, and extensive experience working with diverse communities, Ms. McCullough will help YRP achieve its mandate to service and protect York Region’s 1.2 million residents,” says York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson.
McCullough’s career and volunteer work spans more than five decades. In addition to working with Indigenous, Jewish, Muslim, Black, and many Asian and East Asian communities, she has served on several advisory committees, including the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health Advisory Committee. She led a workshop on offender rehabilitation in the community for the National Black Police Association in Los Angeles, Ca. and was a member of the Advisory Committee for the Metro Addiction Assessment Referral Program. She has served on the YRP Community Advisory Council for 31 years, including a period as its chair.
McCullough was a member of the Richmond Hill Rotary Club for more than eight years and a member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in York Region for more than a decade. She has served on the Association of Black Law Enforcers’ executive board and was the first Law Enforcers Service Officer.
A York Region residence since 1983, McCullough earned a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) from York University, a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology and Sociology) from the University of Toronto and a Certificate in Conflict Resolution from St. Xavier University in Chicago, Ill.
The YRP Services Board is made up of seven civilian members: one is head of municipal council, three are appointed by York Council and three are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Its responsibilities include establishing policies for the effective management of the police service, approving the operating and capital police budget and developing a business plan for the police service every three years.
