LANARK COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF POLICE SERVICES BOARD REGULAR MEETING Minutes
Date: Wednesday, June 28th, 2017 Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: Carleton Place OPP/Fire Department Building 15 Coleman St, Carleton Place, ON K7C 4P1 Carleton Place Fire Department Boardroom, 2nd Floor
1. CALL TO ORDER, INTRODUCTIONS AND HOUSEKEEPING MATTERS
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:33 a.m. The Chair welcomed members.
Attendance Sheet – attached, page 8.
2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
The following were amendments to the Agenda: 4.1 Deferral - Introduction and Question and Answer Session 4.3 Deferral – OPP Recruiting 4.4 Addition – Pending Police Services Act Provisions 6.4 Addition – Geo-Tracking Technology and Alzheimer’s Patients
The agenda was approved as amended.
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Moved by: Beckwith Seconded by : Montague
“THAT, the minutes of the April 4th, 2017 meeting held in the Town of Mississippi Mills be approved as presented.” CARRIED
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.1 Introduction and Question and Answer Session – deferred to the October Meeting. Chief Superintendent, Chris Harkins, OPP East Region Commander
4.2 Introduction and Question and Answer Session. Superintendent, Craig Abrams, OPP East Region Command Staff
C. Abrams gave an introduction and work history.
Page 1 of 8
Members asked questions and held discussion on: i) The process for allocation of resources – how does the OPP ensure that the proper numbers of bodies are allocated to certain areas?
It was explained how the staffing level is determined using a formula, this is done in Orillia and is based on type of calls and the calculated average time to deal with those types of calls along with a mathematical formula.
How are concerns addressed if there is a feeling of a gap in the allotted resource to a certain area?
The concern may be able to be dealt with within the detachment, would suggest to first bring the concern to the detachment commander to see if resources within the detachment can be altered.
ii) Question regarding the technology being used, Carleton Place is experiencing very high growth with the use of technology, what is coming and what pressures are those communities going to feel?
Superintendent Abrams does not feel there will be a need for new infrastructure; new technology is making the OPP work more efficient. Cybercrime and fraud is on the rise, a municipality can work on educating their citizens on cybercrime to help with the battle and to not become victims of it. He does not see a need for more infrastructure in the way of buildings etc.
iii) Police models and costing, there have been discussions in previous years, but not lately. Is there any talk of some of the work the OPP do being given to other professions that would alleviate some of the OPP resources?
Is what the OPP doing truly law enforcement work, is looked at. Mental health for example, which when there is a crisis and/or concern for public safety the OPP are involved. The Situation Table is an example of how to relieve the OPP function when it is not necessarily law enforcement. The OPP are looking to make some positions civilian jobs rather than OPP.
Randy Hillier, MPP asked about the Detachment Offices not being open full time in communities that are growing and what impact is that having.
The Detachment Commander is trying to be proactive to deal with the peak times the public needs the office services, for example criminal reference checks. The OPP are looking at options to make those demands more efficient, for example being able to apply online for a criminal reference check.
Police Services Boards and Municipalities within Lanark County are encouraging the OPP to continue with the Situation Table program to put the needs in the communities to where they need to go, Lanark County OPP has been a leader with this program.
Page 2 of 8 iv) Detachment Commander Appraisals was discussed, Tay Valley has a protocol for Detachment Commander Appraisals they are sent to C. Abrams attention. N. Fennell asked that if others do not currently do appraisals that they should be.
4.3 OPP Recruiting – deferred to the October Meeting. Provincial Constable, Sylvie Cote.
4.4 Pending Police Services Act Provisions. Randy Hillier, MPP
N. Fennell explained that at the last Zone 2 meeting in April, there was an additional day added to hold a meeting to discuss and hear about the pending changes to the Police Services Act. Fred Kaustinen indicated that he would take back the comments heard at the meeting and indicated that the new Act would not likely be released for another year.
To date there have not been any indication as to what the proposed changes to the Act will to be.
R. Hillier addressed the Association and indicated that he can only speculate that the government will not table any changes until they are ready to do so, but the Boards can have some influence. This is the last year of the government’s mandate, and typically any legislation that comes forward in the last year is more partisan.
R. Hillier expressed that they need to get the governance and accountability portions of the new Act right and need to make sure the new prescriptions in the new Act do not constrain the OPP from using judgement.
R. Hillier discussed that with the recent changes of the OPP now being in areas that previously had their own police departments, are the Police Services Boards operating the way they should be given these changes. R Hillier feels the voice of the Police Services Board is important, are effective and have an important role.
The Association discussed the changes to the Police Services Board and if there is a need to have Provincial Appointee members, as those members are citizens and could be appointed by the local councils.
M. Towaji explained her provincial appointee process and feels when or if there are any changes to the size of the board or an amalgamation of boards, more community members is key, at the end of the day the council appointee, community appointee and provincial appointee do the same thing on the board, attend the same conferences and are subject to the same information.
Page 3 of 8
B. Stewart asked everyones thoughts are on the boards amalgamating or if they feel there is a benefit to them amalgamating. R. Kidd wants to wait until the bill is tabled before the group discusses it. It was indicated at the OAPSB conference, that it is being proposed to reduce the number of PSB’s, the Association feels it will be important that all municipalities are at the table.
5. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES
None.
The Association recessed at 10:59 a.m. The Association returned to session at 11:09 a.m.
6. NEW BUSINESS:
6.1 Ministry Marijuana Grow-Op Protocol.
N. Fennel explained the item was on the agenda due to a recent discovery of a grow-op in Tay Valley Township and the provincial protocol regarding what the municipality must do in these situations.
N. Fennell reviewed the legislated steps that are taken and to ensure that all Boards and CPAC’s are aware of it. The Tay Valley Board will be reviewing the situation in Tay Valley.
The Detachment Commander has indicated he would like a similar protocol in place to ensure notification processes are in place and followed.
6.2 Review of Zone 2 Meeting in Quite West and Fall Meeting in Renfrew. Chair Neil Fennell.
was a good meeting the additional meeting was very useful Next meeting – September 22 – Renfrew at 10:00 a.m. December 1st meeting – North Grenville Speaker will be the Deputy Chief from Peterborough Police Services to discuss the Fentanyl crisis
6.3 Spring OAPSB Board Meeting Update.
M. Towaij, N. MacLeod and D. Ferguson attended the conference and gave an overview of the following presentations:
there was approximately 270 attendees Human Rights & Policing Using Technology to Fight Organized Crime Digital Evidence Management Missing & Murdered Aboriginal Women & Girls Page 4 of 8
Youth Suicides Marijuana Legalization the Association discussed the Joint Police Services Board Association having a meeting at Tweed in Smiths Falls to get more information on how a licenced producer works in anticipation of legalization next year Forthcoming Legislative Reforms
The 2018 Spring Conference and Annual General Meeting will be held in Blue Mountain in May 2018.
6.4 Geo-Tracking Technology and Alzheimer’s Patients.
N. Fennell informed the Association that at the Zone 2 meeting in Quinte West there was a demonstration on an initiative that helps to track Alzheimer’s patients that wander off, they have a wrist band and can be tracked. The Association discussed if this was something that could be introduced here. The cost is approximately $12,000-14,000 for equipment and will need to involve the Alzheimer’s Society to head it up.
Moved by: Carleton Place Seconded by : Mississippi Mills
“THAT, each Police Services Board discuss Geo-Tracking Technology for Alzheimer’s Patients at their next meeting for further discussion at the next Association of Joint Police Services Board Meeting.” CARRIED
6.5 Roundtable Police Services Board Updates:
Town of Perth
No report.
Township of Montague
No report.
Town of Mississippi Mills
No report.
Town of Carleton Place
No report.
Page 5 of 8
Tay Valley Township
- The annual OPP/Glen Tay School Soccer game was a success
Township of Lanark Highlands
No report.
Township of Beckwith
No report.
7. 2017 MEETING SCHEDULE:
Members discussed the meeting start time changing to 9:00 a.m., due to the length of the meeting and agreed that the Chair would determine the start time based on the items on the next agenda.
7.1 2017 Meeting Schedule
Wednesday, October 4th, 2017 – Township of Lanark Highlands The Police Officer of Today – Part B – Education – Algonquin College Instructor and Student 2018 Chair and Recording Secretary OPP Recruiting – Provincial Constable, Sylvie Cote
Wednesday, December 13th, 2017 – Tay Valley Township Stephanie Gray – Lanark County Situation Table – 2017 Update Domestic Violence – Causes and Solutions – Interval House Case Worker
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:24 p.m.
Page 6 of 8
ATTENDANCE
Page 7 of 8
Page 8 of 8