Belleville deputy chief of police Paul VandeGraaf leaving

Deputy Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf is leaving the Belleville force to take up a new position with the Cobourg Police. File photo by Steph Crosier, QNet News

By Kate Shumakova, Sean McIntosh and Tyler Renaud

BELLEVILLE – Paul VandeGraaf, deputy chief of the Belleville Police since 2010, is leaving the force to become deputy chief of the Cobourg Police.

VandeGraaf’s last day will be Nov. 9, Police Chief Cory McMullen confirmed to QNet News Thursday afternoon.

“The Belleville Police Service, all its members, myself and the (police) board wish him all the best in his new position in Cobourg and his future career aspirations,” McMullen said.

The Cobourg police services board unanimously selected VandeGraaf for the position, a news release from the Cobourg Police says.

A Belleville resident and active participant in community activities, VandeGraaf joined the force in 1991. He was promoted to sergeant in 1996, to staff-sergeant in 2003, and to inspector in 2007.

Asked when a new deputy chief would be appointed, McMullen said that at the next meeting of the police board, a process for naming a replacement will be discussed.

Contacted by QNet News Thursday afternoon, VandeGraaf said he would not make any comment, and referred questions to McMullen.