After seven years as Waterloo Region’s chief of police, Matt Torigian is retiring – but he’s not leaving law enforcement entirely.

The Waterloo Regional Police Services Board announced Thursday that Torigian will leave the service effective June 8.

The following day, he will become the deputy minister for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

In that role, he’ll help oversee the Ontario Provincial Police and coroner’s office, as well as forensic and animal welfare services.

In total, he’ll be responsible for a $1.5-billion annual budget and 11,000 government workers.

Torigian tells CTV News the “big portfolio” wasn’t a position he sought out, but one he was recently approached about.

“It really was a difficult decision … but at the end of the day, it feels good – and when it feels good, you know it’s probably the right thing to do,” he says.

Torigian, whose policing life began in 1985, was appointed chief of Waterloo Regional Police in 2007, becoming the fifth chief in the service’s history.

In a lengthy career spent entirely with Waterloo Regional Police, he spent time in drug enforcement, homicide and community relations units.

Not as visible in the media as some previous chiefs, Torigian says that was by design.

“I think part of the job is knowing when you need to speak and when it’s OK for somebody else to speak on your behalf,” he says.

“We have such a strong cohort of leaders within this organization. It doesn’t always need to be the head of the organization.”

Increases to the police budget declined during Torigian’s tenure, although not always with his blessing.

Still, Torigian spoke with pride Thursday of the service efficiencies the police service was able to introduce as a response to those conditions.

Tom Galloway, who chairs the region’s police services board, says Torigian’s new job came as a surprise but is a sign of the strength of the organization.

“It reflects exceptionally well on (Torigian), but I think it also reflects very well on the service,” he says.

Galloway points to increases in the use of technology and neighbourhood policing initiatives as among the highlights of Torigian’s time as chief, and says his new job may allow him to act on some of the issues he couldn’t change.

“The Police Services Act needs a major overhaul. He’s said so himself,” he says.

“Now he’s in a great position to champion that, to champion crime prevention through social development.”

The police services board will meet next week to discuss interim and permanent replacement options for Torigian.

No decision has been made on whether the chief position will be filled by an internal or external candidate, Galloway says.