Amherstburg must seek public input
Re: Amherstburg reviewing proposal on policing from Windsor service, by Julie Kotsis, Nov. 14. The Town of Amherstburg did a disservice to its taxpayers when it issued a policing request for proposals that “emulated the same level of service that we presently have.”
No wonder Windsor was the only police service to meet the RFP guidelines, which include a top-heavy hierarchy mirrored in other municipal police services but unparalleled in OPP detachments.
Had Amherstburg elected officials not persistently maintained a municipal police service since its 1997 amalgamation with Anderdon and Malden, taxpayers could have realized an approximate $1 million savings annually.
The then-Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services decided the newly amalgamated police service should have allowed for adequate and effective policing if the proposal was implemented as presented. It was for a while.
Three patrol zones were proposed with 24-hour a day policing and a maximum strength per 12-hour shift of six officers.
By 2010, the Amherstburg Police Service annual report noted: “The town is divided into two patrol zones ensuring that all areas receive an ongoing police presence.”
In addition to the change in patrol zones, the police services board and police association agreed to a “poison pill” contract clause that would cost taxpayers heavily if the municipality ever decided to choose OPP policing.
Both parties should have known it was unnecessary because no policing model would have been approved unless officers were dealt with fairly and there was an arbitration process if necessary.
Policing was a hot election campaign issue in 2014 when residents questioned candidates about committing to council obtaining an OPP costing and/or removing the poison pill clause.
Rather than now dictate the status quo policing model, council should have sought extensive public input to determine the community’s policing needs.
By continuing to narrowly focus on a municipal policing service model, Amherstburg taxpayers will be denied the opportunity to know the most cost-effective police service option.
Linda Saxon, Amherstburg