By Cecilia Nasmith
In response to a request from Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, in accordance with recent legislation the Community Safety and Policing Act, OPP Police Service Boards in five Northumberland municipalities have developed a plan for a single OPP Police Service Board for the Northumberland detachment.
As designed, said the press release from Alnwick-Haldimand Township, the proposal “has the advantage of recognizing Northumberland’s community and local needs, while at the same time responding to the Ministry’s overall requirements.”
Each participating municipality – Hamilton and Cramahe Townships and the Municipalities of Brighton and Trent Hills, along with Alnwick-Haldimand - has reviewed the recommendations and all have approved the proposal for submission to the Solicitor General.
If approved, the plan will see a new board replacing the existing five boards at the lower-tier municipalities. The new 10-member board would, for the first time, include First Nation representation. The other nine members would include one councillor from each of the five municipalities, two community members and two provincially appointed members.
“It is anticipated that the new reduced governance structure will be effective in their governance role and more efficient in its oversight and administrative relationship with the single Detachment Commander,” the announcement said.
Alnwick-Haldimand Mayor Gail Latchford said her council is in complete support of this initiative.
“These changes will allow our local community to develop a model that is representative of our local needs,” Latchford said.
“As Chair of the Alnwick-Haldimand Police Service Board, I would also like to thank our PSB members for their contribution to an OPP Single Police Service Board for our Northumberland Detachment.”
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini commends the proposal.
“This initiative of a single Police Service Board would allow the board to better address local priorities and improve service delivery,” Piccini stated.
“The proposed single board would be more efficient and better represent our community, including representation from the First Nation. Thank you to the members of the five Police Service Boards who have developed this plan with thoughts of how to best serve our community, efficient use of resources, while continuing to meet the expectations and requirements of the Ministry of the Solicitor General.”
It is anticipated that the new governance model will take effect in January.
