CHIEF BACKS TAKEOVER
Public meets on A’ burg plan
Windsor’s police chief expects to know within a month if a provincial watchdog agency will allow his force to take over policing in Amherstburg.
The Ontario Civilian Police Commission held public meetings Tuesday to help determine if Windsor police can provide “adequate and effective” service to Amherstburg.
Outside the meeting, Frederick said that he’s willing to consider changes to the proposal if that’s what the commission wants. “I’d have to hear what they have to say, but if they ’re giving me that opportunity, I would embrace that,” he said. “I don’t want this to die. There have been too many people who worked too long and too hard on putting this together.” Amherstburg council narrowly voted in February to pursue a contract with Windsor police to begin in January 2019. It would be 20-year contract with terms up for review every five years. Either side could pull out of the agreement with 18 months notice. Officials with the OCPC, an independent agency tasked with overseeing police in Ontario, wouldn’t talk to the media. A spokesperson said she didn’t know what the timeline is for the commission to make a decision.
But Frederick and Amherstburg Mayor Aldo DiCarlo both said their understanding is the agency will make a decision in a month or so. Frederick said provincial rules dictate that if the two police services planning to join forces are not directly adjacent, the police commission must review the arrangement.
“If it wasn’t for the contiguous issue here today, us and Amherstburg could join in an arrangement for policing services without OCPC’s approval,” said Frederick. He said the review is not related to a separate investigation into the hiring and promotional practices of the Windsor Police Service Board, including allegations of nepotism, a “poisoned work environment,” and “improper interference in specific legal proceedings.” Frederick said the allegations have no bearing on whether Windsor can adequately police Amherstburg.
“They’re utterly irrelevant because they’re all internal policy issues,” he said. “Nothing about our ability to provide a service. It’s all (human resources). Promotions, transfers, that sort of thing.” DiCarlo said he appreciates that some Amherstburg residents have concerns about the investigation. “But I hope no one is naive enough to think that we don’t also have our own investigations,” he said. “There are some outstanding as we speak. I think with any business, especially policing, there will always be complaints. There will always be complaints as serious as the ones made against Windsor. You go through the process to see if there is any validity, and if there is, hopefully you make the changes required.”
DiCarlo said he doesn’t think the investigation should derail the proposed contract. Some residents weren’t so sure.
“That’s the very board that will be responsible for overseeing policing in our community,” said Nancy Atkinson, who was opposed to the plan from the start. “I think, at the very least, we should wait and see what the OCPC has to say about those allegations. “Every department has its issues. But why would we ask our officers to go into a toxic environment, if indeed it is toxic? Why not wait and see if it has been cleaned up?” John McDonald said he supports the proposed plan in the face of “limited options.”
“The only way to go really is to try to find efficiencies within the organization in terms of procuring equipment and sharing resources,” said McDonald. “I think that’s what this tries to do, and I’m pretty comforted that there is a review process after five years and there is an exit if we wish to take it.”