A’BURG SET TO JOIN FORCES
Precedent cited in bid for Windsor police switch
Even though their two municipalities are physically separated, Amherstburg officials are confident the move to Windsor policing will be approved by the province’s police overseer after a similar decision almost a year ago in St. Marys, Ont. The town must seek approval under the Police Services Act from the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) because Windsor and Amherstburg don’t share a common border, said Amherstburg CAO John Miceli.
The OCPC, an independent, quasi-judicial body, gave its blessing to St. Marys’ decision to switch its policing contract from the Ontario Provincial Police to the City of Stratford’s municipal force. In its decision, the commission noted there was public support for the change.
But its central point was the fact the decision was made by “the St. Marys Town Council, the dulyelected representatives of the people of the Town. Broad decisions about how to provide policing services are clearly those of municipalities,” the commission said. “We believe that, based on the St. Marys decision that was rendered by the OCPC … they’ve set precedents already, so it shouldn’t be an issue,” Miceli said. “No one’s ever tested that until St. Marys and … basically they ’re saying if the two councils are good with it, we’re good with it.”
But with 10 months to go before the anticipated switch to Windsor Police Services on Jan. 1, 2019, Miceli said there’s much more work to be done to ensure a smooth transition, including finalizing the contract, developing a transition plan and preparing a communication outline for the community. Miceli added that the Amherstburg and Windsor Police Associations, which represent officers in both services, also must determine if there will be an amalgamation of the two associations or if they remain separate.
Const. Shawn McCurdy, president of the Amherstburg Police Association, said his members were still absorbing council’s decision. “The day after you’re still a little bit surreal about what’s actually going on, but we knew the decision was going to be made last night,” McCurdy said Tuesday. “Although it’s not our decision, the association was able to participate in the JPAC (Joint Police Advisory) committee, and that gave us a little bit of insight on what was actually transpiring over the last number of months.”
And despite mixed feelings about the change, McCurdy said officers will carry on the hard work that has helped the town continue to be one of the safest communities in Canada.
“We took an oath of office to do our duties. We’re going to continue to do that. It doesn’t matter which flash is on our shoulder,” he said. “At the end of the day what flash we wear pays us, (but) we’re going to go out there and do our job.
“We will adapt and we will move forward.”
Windsor Police Chief Al Frederick said he doesn’t anticipate many problems with the transition. “Amherstburg has been fortunate to have a great police service for decades,” Frederick said. “We’ve been integrated with them, the Windsor Police Service and Amherstburg and all the county services, LaSalle, OPP, through training.
“We’re very familiar with each other. So that will be helpful as we go forward in trying to put together the best plan moving forward. I don’t anticipate many bumps along the road. I think that this will be quite seamless.” Frederick said the next steps in the process are going to happen in rapid succession. Windsor must integrate operations for the town with all of its services, including patrol, response, investigation services and administration. “We’re working hard today putting together committees,” he said. “And we’re looking forward to it. Before you know it, the year will be up and we need to be in shape.” Miceli said the town is working with a consultant, but he imagines it will take months to get everything in order and will “consume a lot of time as well.” “From our perspective, we’ve taken the steps even to maintain our own identity,” Miceli said. “The vehicles are going to be marked with Amherstburg on them, the uniforms are still going to have an Amherstburg (shoulder patch) with a division of Windsor Police. “None of the guys have to leave here. They can stay here for the balance of the contract, which in most cases could be the rest of their career.”
As for Amherstburg ’s chief and deputy chief, Frederick said if their contracts “are alive” Jan. 1, 2019, “then they’re offered positions within the Windsor Police Service.”
The impending change leaves the Town of LaSalle municipal police force floating in the middle, but Mayor Ken Antaya says there’s no pressure for change in his community.
“Our residents have spoken to us,” Antaya said. “As they follow this through, the emails I’ve received (Tuesday) morning, they still support our police department.”
He said council isn’t being urged to take a look at an alternate service.
“We have confidence in our service. What Amherstburg did had no impact on us,” he said. “I applaud Amherstburg. I think that they did what was important to make sure that they were accountable to their residents. So they vetted it properly and they made their decision.
“It’s a brave thing to do, and I think that based on their deliberation, I suspect it’s the right thing to do,” he added. “It might have been good for Amherstburg, but I just don’t see that right now for LaSalle.”
And when it comes to the cost of policing, LaSalle residents are paying $226 per capita in 2018 while Amherstburg residents will lay out $268, according to their treasurers. Windsor’s per capita cost is higher — at $380 — but Windsor has specialized units such as K9 units, traffic reconstruction, bomb squad, tactical team and others, that the other two municipal forces do not.
When Amherstburg or LaSalle need a specialized service, they call the OPP and there is a fee.
The vehicles are going to be marked with Amherstburg on them, the uniforms are still going to have an Amherstburg (shoulder patch) ...