Members reviewed the Grenville County OPP Detachment Board proposal. Committee inquired about some of the service demands outlined for Prescott's international border crossing. It was noted that the service demands were in reference to the geographical area.
It was noted the Township had for years maintained a contract with the OPP to circumvent the need for a Police Services board, with great success, however, recent legislation will replace the current Police Services Board with the new Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA) which requires municipalities to adopt a detachment board.
Members voiced concerns regarding the proposal, highlighting the request of the Solicitor General for one OPP detachment board for the municipalities of North Grenville, Augusta, Merrickville-Wolford, Prescott, and Edwardsburgh Cardinal. It was noted that the deadline for this request had already received an extension from the original June 7th date to June 28th, therefore the request is being made by the Townships for three separate boards, one for North Grenville, one for Prescott & one for Augusta, Merrickville-Wolford and Edwardsburgh-Cardinal. Committee inquired about the possibility of "backing out" of the proposal, raising concerns of unknown costs. It was noted with the impending due date quickly approaching, submitting this proposal would be a better option than not submitting one.
Members inquired about the member composition of the proposed OPP detachment boards. It was noted there would be three Council representatives, three public members and one provincial appointed member. Members noted due to the Township's inexperience with Detachment Boards, there would likely be some training costs associated with participating on the board.