The public is invited to the official swearing in of the new Saugeen Shores Police Chief on December 1 at 10 a.m.

In a November 23 media release, Michael Bellai will be sworn in in Saugeen Shores Council Chambers and the ceremony will include the administration of the oaths of office by The Honourable Justice Kevin Sherwood. There will be remarks from representatives of the Town of Saugeen Shores, the Saugeen Shores Police Association and the Saugeen Shores Police Services Board. Chief Michael Bellai will provide keynote remarks.

A social gathering and hors d’oeuvres will follow the formal proceedings.

Police Chief Dan Rivett will retire November 30 after 11 years with the police service, overseeing 22 full time officers serving Saugeen Shores and a population of 13,715.

Chief Mike Bellai has been a police officer for over 29 years, beginning his career with the Peel Regional Police Service in 1988 then moving to the Stratford Police Service in 1990. Bellai has performed a number of duties including uniform patrol, emergency response, criminal investigations, criminal intelligence and drug enforcement.

He has risen through the ranks in Stratford to Sergeant in charge of the Drug/Intelligence Unit, Inspector in charge of the Investigative Support Services Division, Deputy Chief and Chief of Police.

While assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division Chief Bellai investigated a number of major cases including the lead investigator in two homicide investigations. He was also
assigned to a number of joint services drug and organized crime undercover projects.

Chief Bellai holds a BA in Criminal Justice from the University of Guelph, a Graduate of Law and Security Administration from Conestoga College, has received certification as a Police Administration from Dalhousie University, is a certified Municipal Manager-Police Executivefrom the Ontario Municipal Management Institute and a proud graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy – FBINA.