NIAGARA PARKS ASSOCIATION MEMBER ASSOCIATION OF THE POLICE ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO BOX 134 ♦ NIAGARA FALLS, ON ♦ FAX (905) 356-4447

Mayor Jim Diodati & Members of Niagara Falls City Council,

It is the understanding of members of the Niagara Parks Police Association that the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) is considering amendments to the Police Services Act as a part of its Strategy for a Safer Ontario initiative.

A component of these amendments is likely to involve several changes to the Special program in Ontario. Changes being considered include, but are not limited to:

 the review of policing powers conferred to Special ;  the possible prohibition of the carrying of firearms;  training of Special Constables;  accountability of Special Constables;  the possible prohibition of the utilization of the term ‘police’ or other similar terminology.

The Niagara Parks Police Service relies largely on the status of Special Constable as a vehicle to bestow policing powers to its members.

Meetings have been held with representatives of the MCSCS and it is generally believed that there is support for members of the Niagara Parks Police Service to continue with comprehensive conferred police powers and the carrying of firearms. Further, training and accountability do not bear a great deal of concern by our members as they are trained to the same standards as a front-line police officer and believe that they must be held accountable in the same manner as a police officer.

It is the potential prohibition from using the term ‘police’ however, that is of great concern to the members of the Niagara Parks Police.

The Ontario government has conferred policing powers, provided training, and issued equipment to Niagara Parks Police members as ‘police’ for more than 130 years. It is perhaps an unintended consequence that our Service would be caught in a net intended for other professional university and transit security agencies who carry far more restrictive Special Constable appointments.

Stripping the word ‘police’ from the Niagara Parks Police would simply be confusing to the millions of international and domestic visitors who visit the parks and the City of Niagara Falls every year. The term ‘police’ is immediately recognizable to most visiting cultures throughout the globe.

The removal of the term ‘police’ as it applies to the Niagara Parks Police would also add operational confusion to the law enforcement, emergency services, tourism, and community stakeholders and other partners on both sides of the international border the Niagara Parks Police Service routinely interact with every day.

NIAGARA PARKS POLICE ASSOCIATION MEMBER ASSOCIATION OF THE POLICE ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO BOX 134 ♦ NIAGARA FALLS, ON ♦ FAX (905) 356-4447

Retention of police staff within the Niagara Parks Police Service is important to the continuity and familiarity of the geographical features and landscape, unique to policing Niagara Parks.

In summary, the Niagara Parks Police Association seeks the assistance and support of Your Worship and members of Niagara Falls City Council in bringing the matter to the attention of the MCSCS towards a favourable resolution to the matter.

Letters of support have been provided by:

 The Niagara Regional Police Association  The Regional Municipality of Niagara Police Services Board  The Acting Chief of Police on behalf of the Niagara Regional Police Service  The Police Association of Ontario

The incontestable and harmonious method of delivering policing services within the Region of Niagara and Niagara Parks has been effective for more than 130 years. Delivered by the regional municipal police service for the greater community supported by a specialized police service dedicated to the Niagara Parks Commission and its visitors, at no additional cost to the taxpayer.

The removal of the term ‘police’ would inexorably diminish the capacity of this effective and unique policing model specialized for Niagara and would not be consistent with the intended principles of community safety and well-being.

With your permission, we have attached a draft resolution for consideration by Niagara Falls City Council in support of the Niagara Parks Police. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience.

Respectfully,

Chris Gallagher, President Lance Dobbin, Member Niagara Parks Police Association