June 9, 2026
Message from Board Chair Jeff Knoll – Halton Police Board Appoints Jasvinder Sandhu as Chief Governance Officer
On behalf of the Halton Police Board, I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Jasvinder Sandhu as the Board’s new Chief Governance Officer.
Jasvinder brings an exceptional combination of legal, governance, policy, and public sector experience to this important role. She is a seasoned lawyer with extensive experience in employment law, policy development, compliance, risk management, employee relations, and government regulatory matters. Her legal experience spans both private firms and in-house in the financial, technology, pharmaceutical and hospitality industries. She is also a Barrister and Solicitor in Ontario and a licensed attorney in New Jersey.
Many in our community will also know Jasvinder from her service as a Town Councillor for Ward 7 in Oakville from 2018 to 2022. Through that role, and through her ongoing work with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, including as Chair of AMO’s Healthy Democracy Advisory Group, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to public service, accountable governance, and strong local democracy.
The Chief Governance Officer is the Board’s senior governance and administrative leader. The role supports the Board in fulfilling its mandate to provide civilian oversight of the Halton Regional Police Service, including strategic planning, policy development, risk management, governance processes, Board education, executive evaluation, stakeholder relations, and ensuring that Board members have the information and advice needed to make informed decisions on behalf of the community.
Jasvinder’s legal training, municipal experience, governance knowledge, and understanding of complex public sector environments make her exceptionally well suited to support the Board as we continue to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence in policing across Halton.
On behalf of the Board, I also want to acknowledge and thank Fred Kaustinen for his exceptional service as Chief Governance Officer since 2001. Fred has served the Board with professionalism, expertise, and a deep commitment to advancing police governance. His work has helped position the Halton Police Board as a leader in modern civilian police governance in Canada.
While Fred is leaving the CGO role, we are very pleased that we will continue to have the opportunity to utilize his expertise in the future through his consultancy, Governedge Inc.
Please join me in welcoming Jasvinder Sandhu to the Halton Police Board and in thanking Fred Kaustinen for his outstanding service to the Board and the community.
