Clifford Trevor Priest passed away in his 63rd year on July 22, 2021 after an illness with family by his side.
Cliff was the President of the Niagara Region Police Association and a strong supporter of Special Olympics both before and during his tenure as President. He often referred to Special Olympics as the policing member’s charity as there was always a strong connection between Special Olympics and the policing community. It was therefore no surprise that it was the charity that was designated for donations following his passing.
President Priest commenced his career as a Police Constable with the Metropolitan Police Force of London, England in 1976. After a 14 year career with the Metropolitan Police Force in where he attained the rank of Sergeant, President Priest immigrated to Canada with his wife in 1990 with the intent of continuing his policing career within his new found country of choice. President Priest continued his career in policing joining the Niagara Regional Police Service in 1991 as a Police Constable. During his career he had various assignments of which included uniform patrol duties in St. Catharines and Grimsby, the Traffic Enforcement Unit, and the Traffic Reconstruction Unit. President Priest was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2007. Additionally, President Priest became a Niagara Region Police Association Executive Board Member in 2005 thus commencing a long and dedicated role with the NRPA. In 2013, he assumed the position of Niagara Region Police Association President, a position he held until the time of his passing.
In 2016, President Priest was inducted as a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces receiving the award from Governor General David Johnston. He received the award for his dedication to reducing fatal traffic accidents in the Niagara Region by using collision reconstruction, youth education and strategy development in addition to his voluntary support of civilian charitable organizations.
He will be greatly missed by his many colleagues and friends in Niagara and across the Province. He leaves behind his wife, Karen and son, Gareth who are in our thoughts during this difficult time.
