Renfrew Police Services Board (Re), 2000 ONCPC 4006

ONTARIO CIVILIAN COMMISSION ON POLICE SERVICES

Citation: 2000 ONCPC 4006

IN THE MATTER OF an application for consent to the

Abolishment of the Renfrew Police Service

Presiding Members:

Murray W. Chitra, Chair

Brenda Weese, Member

Appearances:

Lynda A. Bordeleau, Solicitor for the Renfrew Police Services Board

Rod Case, Sergeant, Ontario Provincial Police

Richard C. Deering, Chief Superintendent, Ontario Provincial Police

Sandra J. Heins, Mayor, Town of Renfrew

Audrey Green, Chair, Renfrew Police Services Board Bob Thompson, Acting Chief, Renfrew Police Service Bryan H. Patterson, President, Renfrew Police Association

Paul Sweet, Advisor, Police Support Services Branch, Ministry of the Solicitor

General

Written Submissions:

James D. McBain, former Chief, Renfrew Police Service

Heather Stichman, Citizen

Hearing Date: Wednesday, July 12, 2000

This is an application by the Renfrew Police Services Board (the “Board”) and the Town of Renfrew (the “Town”) pursuant to section 40 of the Police Services Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.15 as amended (the “Act”) for consent to the abolition of the Renfrew Police Service (the “Service”). This is for the purpose of having all policing in the Town provided by the Ontario Provincial Police (the “OPP”) in an integrated arrangement with a number of surrounding Townships.

Background:

The Town of Renfrew was established in 1895. It is located in the upper Ottawa Valley at the junction of Highway No. 17 (the Trans Canada Highway) and Highway No. 60. This is in the south-east corner of Renfrew County approximately 75 kilometres from the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton.

The Town currently has a population of 8,265 residents and 3,566 households. It is an urban area of approximately 12.25 square kilometres with 57.5 kilometres

of roads.

Renfrew has a mixture of residential, commercial and light and heavy manufacturing land use. This includes a number of public institutions such as the Renfrew Victoria Hospital, Bonnechere Manor and the regional Ministry of Health ambulance dispatch centre.

The Town is surrounded by several rural municipalities. These include the Townships of Admaston/Bromley; Bagot, Blythfield and Brougham; Griffith/Matawatchan; Horton; Ross; McNab/Braeside; and the Village of Cobden.

They have a combined population of approximately 16,738 residents living in

8,886 households. The population increases significantly during summer months. These Townships encompass 2,297.7 square kilometres with 153 kilometres of Provincial Highways and 3,877 kilometres of municipal roads.

The primary industries are farming, forestry, mining and tourism. There are many summer cottages and resorts. As well, there is some light industry and a growing number of suburban residential areas for urban commuters.

Policing in the Town is provided by a municipal police service. Policing in the

Townships is provided by the OPP.

Starting in early 1998 the Town began to examine its policing arrangement. This was a long and contentious process. The key events were as follows:

• March 9, 1998 – the Town requested the OPP provide a costing for the provision of policing

• May 27, 1999 – the Town and Board requested that the Service provide a costing for the provision of policing

• July 7, 1999 – public meeting held to present both the OPP and Service proposals

• July 19, 1999 – Town Council passed Resolution 99-7-77 accepting the

OPP proposal (i.e. integrated detachment model)

• August 16, 1999 – Town Council passed Motion 99-8-38 requesting that the Board initiate the process to obtain approval from the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services (the “Commission”) under section 40 of the Act to abolish the Service

These resolutions, motions and a copy of the OPP proposal were forwarded to the Commission and tabled at a meeting on September 13, 1999.

It subsequently came to the attention of the Commission that a number of issues that were key to the abolition process were unresolved. On May 29,

2000 the Commission was advised that these concerns had been settled.

As a result, the resolutions, motions and proposal were tabled again at the Commission’s meeting of June 12, 2000. It was agreed that a public meeting under section 40 of the Act would be convened to examine the proposal. The meeting was scheduled for July 12, 2000 at Council Chambers, 127 Raglan Street, South in Renfrew. Notice was published in local newspapers.

The meeting was held as scheduled and eight presentations were made. As well, two written submissions were received. Since that time, we have requested and received further details about certain aspects of the proposal.

The Law:

Section 4(1) of the Act states that every municipality shall provide adequate and effective police service in accordance with its needs. For the purpose of this application this refers to the Town of Renfrew and surrounding Townships.

Section 4(2) defines “adequate and effective” as the ability to provide policing services under the five following categories: Crime prevention, Law Enforcement, Assistance to Victims of Crime, Public Order Maintenance and Emergency Response.

Section 4(3) states that a municipality shall be responsible for providing all the necessary infrastructure and administration required to permit adequate and effective police services.

A municipality may meet this obligation by establishing and maintaining its own force, entering into a joint agreement with another municipality or contracting

for the provision of services by the OPP. However, once a municipal police force has been established, section 40 of the Act defines the procedure that must be followed before it can be abolished.

Specifically, section 40 states:

(1) A board may terminate the employment of a member of the police force for the purpose of abolishing the police force if the abolition does not contravene this Act.

(2) The Commission shall consent to the termination of the employment of a member of the police force under subsection (1) only if,

(a) the member and the board have made an agreement dealing

with severance pay or agreed to submit the matter to arbitration: or

(b) the Commission has made an order under subsection (3).

(2) If the member and the board do not make an agreement dealing with severance pay and do not agree to submit the matter to arbitration, the Commission, if it is of the opinion that it would be appropriate to permit the abolishment of the police force, may order the member and the board to submit the matter to arbitration.

The Issues:

The object of this scheme is to ensure that no municipal police force is abolished unless arrangements will be in place which will satisfactorily meet the policing needs of the community in question. Any new arrangement must provide the appropriate staff, equipment and facilities to ensure adequate and effective policing. In addition, no member of a municipal police force is to be terminated without steps being taken to allow for proper severance.

There are two fundamental issues to be dealt with.

First, does the proposed new arrangement appear to provide adequate and effective police services that meet the needs of the community? In this respect the Commission must receive and review the proposal that has been accepted by Town Council and the Board and consider any public comments and submissions.

Given that the proposal in question not only calls for the abolition of the Renfrew Police Service, but to replace it with an arrangement that would integrate the policing resources of the neighboring Townships, it is necessary to examine the proposal in total.

It should be noted that under section 40, the Commission does not decide between alternative proposals or assess which method of providing policing services will be most economical or otherwise preferred. These decisions rest solely with the local community through their municipal council and police services board.

The next issue is whether under the proposal the current members of the police force which is the subject of the abolition, are being dealt with in a fair and reasonable basis. If any member is to be terminated as a consequence of the abolition, the question then becomes whether or not the parties have reached an agreement with respect to severance or have consented to having any outstanding matters referred to arbitration. If so, our involvement in this issue

would be at an end. However, if no agreement has been concluded, then the

Commission may order the parties to arbitration.

The Commission does not determine what may or may not be an appropriate severance agreement. That is a matter for the bargaining parties and, failing agreement, the designated arbitrator.

If the Commission is satisfied that these two requirements have been met, then a municipality may enter into a contract under section 10 of the Act for policing to be provided by the OPP.

Current Policing Arrangement:

The Renfrew Police Service was established in 1858. With the exception of a few years in the early 1950’s it has continuously served it’s community.

At present the authorized complement of the Service consists of 14 uniformed officers and 2 full-time and three part-time civilian employees (equivalent to .3 of a full-time employee). They include:

• 1 chief of police

• 1 deputy chief of police

• 3 sergeants

• 9 constables

• 1 special constable (court liaison)

• 1 clerk/receptionist

• 3 part-time court security/prisoner transport

Given the current population this represents a uniformed officer to citizen ratio of

1:590 (14 uniformed officers: 8,265 citizens) and a supervisor to employee ratio of 1: 2.3 (5 supervisors: 11.3 employees).

Policing is provided on a twenty-four hour basis seven days a week. Indeed, we were advised that the Town has had round the clock police coverage since 1937. The sergeants and constables are deployed in two platoons of six officers each. The Town serves as one patrol zone.

Officers work twelve-hour shifts commencing at 0700 and 1900 hours based on two week blocks with a two/three rotation. A minimum of two police officers is on duty at any one time.

The Service operates out of a building located at 127 Raglan Street South. It is part of a municipal complex that includes Town Hall and the Provincial Courts (General, Family, Civil and Provincial Offences). The current police portion of the complex is on the main floor and consists of approximately 1,600 square feet (148. 8 sq. m.).

The police station is currently open to members of the public between 0800 and

1600 hours. A telephone located outside the station is directly connected to dispatch. It allows citizens to contact officers during off-hours.

The Service facility was the subject of an inspection by the Police Support Services Branch of the Ministry of the Solicitor General in July of 1998. It identified a number of deficiencies. Several recommendations were made calling for renovations to the station. In summary, these concerns related to:

• lack of video monitoring in areas where prisoners were processed and detained (including the sally port area)

• lack of facilities for prisoners to make private phone calls (i.e. to their lawyers)

• lack of adequate interview rooms

• lack of secure temporary storage for firearms for officers processing prisoners

• no private locker space, washroom or shower facilities for female officers

• no provision for oleoresin spray decontamination

• no firearm unloading station

• poor security (i.e. non-functioning intrusion alarms and key pad access to station by non-police personnel)

Other issues were identified with respect to storage.

The Service also operates a Community Policing Office at the Renfrew Mall located at 740 Stewart Street. It is approximately 850 square feet (79.05 sq. m.) in size, staffed by a part-time volunteer and offers a range of material on policing and crime prevention. The Service is also involved in the operation of the Renfrew Victoria Youth Centre. This is a drop-in centre for community youth funded by federal and provincial grants.

The Service is dispatched by the Ministry of Health Emergency Services – Central Ambulance Communications Centre in Renfrew. It operates a ZTRON radio system which incorporates a commercially licensed GE Master II Repeater. This facility is staffed 24 hours a day. There is a minimum of two dispatchers on duty at any time. They provide OMPPAC Computer aided dispatch and CPIC support. The community has recently introduced 911 service.

The Service is equipped with five vehicles (two marked cruisers, one unmarked car, one administrative vehicle and one community van). All cruisers are equipped with Motorolla VHF MCX 1000 mobile radios and all officers on duty carry a portable VHF radio. Other equipment includes:

• 2 Draeger Breathalyzers

• 2 Draeger Alcotest Units (roadside screening devices)

• 1 shotgun

• 3 rifles

• 1 Norco 21 speed mountain bike

• 1 Stop Stick Spike Strip

The 1999 budget for the Service was approximately $1.2 million.

As noted earlier, the surrounding Townships are policed by the OPP. The current authorized OPP municipal policing complement consists of 23 uniformed officers and two civilians. They include:

• 1 staff sergeant

• 3 sergeants

• 19 constables

• 2 clerical staff

The officers are supported by 6 part-time on call guards and matrons. As well, the OPP operates a 25 member auxiliary unit in Renfrew County.

Given the current population of the Townships, this represents an officer to citizen ratio of 1:728 (23 uniformed officers:16,738 residents) and a supervisor to employee ratio of 1:5.25 (4 supervisors:21 employees).

Municipal policing services are provided to the Townships on a twenty-four hour, seven days a week basis. The officers are currently deployed in three zones. They are:

• Zone 1 – McNab/Braeside; and Horton

• Zone 2 – Bagot/Blythfield and Brougham; and Griffith/Matawatchan

• Zone 3 - Admaston/Bromley; Ross; and Cobden

Another zone is designed for officers responsible for traffic and general enforcement on provincial highways. Officers work a twelve hour rotating shift. Both the day and night shifts field seven officers.

The Renfrew OPP operate out of a building located at 532 Stewart Street North. This is on Highway 60 at the western end of the Town. It is within Town boundaries.

The building is a single story frame bungalow with a gross interior area of approximately 2,700 square feet (269.42 sq. m.). It has general office space, an interview room, lockers, washrooms, two cells, a two-car garage and a backup generator.

The OPP police facility is currently open to members of the public from 0830 to

1700 hours. A telephone is located on the exterior of the building. It has a direct

line to the OPP Communications Centre in Perth.

Prior to the commencement of the proceedings we had an opportunity to tour the facility. We identified a number of concerns. They included cell safety (i.e. open horizontal bars which would allow for ligatures), no video monitoring, no oleoresin spray decontamination station, no dedicated gun lockers and lack of storage space.

The OPP also operate three Community Policing Offices. One is located in the Village of Cobden municipal building at 44 Main Street. It is approximately 100 square feet (9.3 sq. m.) in size and is both computer and telephone equipped. The second is located in the Township of Bagot, Blythfield and Broughan municipal building at 1101 Francis Street, Calabogie. It is approximately 100 square feet in size and has a telephone line. The third is located in the Township of McNab/Braeside municipal office at 95 Division Street North, McNab. It is approximately 120 square feet (11.16 sq. m.) in size and has both a telephone and computer.

The OPP are dispatched from the Communications Centre in Perth. Essentially, it operates a hybrid microwave system, utilizing several linked communications towers located throughout the County. The Centre has both battery and generator backup power. Tower sites have diesel generator backup.

The Centre uses OMMPAC computer aided dispatch and serves as a downstream agency for the Enhanced 911 System. The Centre is operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It employs 18 Communications Officers, 6 sergeants, 1 staff sergeant and a technologist.

The Renfrew Detachment is equipped with seven vehicles (four marked cruisers, one unmarked car, one prisoner transport van and one sport utility vehicle). As well, there are two snowmobiles, two all terrain vehicles and a 21 foot boat. The latter is used for police and rescue activities on the many local lakes and rivers.

Other equipment includes:

1Borkenstein Breathalyzer

4 Drager Alcotest Units (roadside screening devices)

4 radar units (3 mobile and 1 hand held)

6 shotguns

2 rifles

1 spike belt

The total OPP policing costs in 1999 billed to the various townships was approximately $900,000.

In summary, the total current municipal policing resources for the Town and surrounding municipalities is 37 uniformed officers and 4.3 civilian employees. This represents a current uniformed officer to citizen ratio of 1:676 (37 officers:

25,003 citizens).

The Proposal:

The proposed policing arrangement was described to us in detail by Sergeant Rod Case. Essentially, what is being advanced is the integration of the existing policing resources of the Town and surrounding municipalities.

The proposed integrated Renfrew OPP Detachment would consist of 41 uniformed officers and 3 civilian employees. The officers would be of 1 staff sergeant, 4 sergeants and 36 constables.

We were informed by Chief Superintendent Deering that of this total authorized complement 32 officers would be dedicated to municipal policing. As well, these

32 would be funded municipally. The balance (9 officers) would be allocated to provincial policing responsibilities and funded provincially. Their duties would include such matters as traffic management, criminal investigation, crime prevention, administration, infrastructure support and professional standards.

The Detachment would have the services of 6 contract guards and matrons. It would also have access to the services of the 25 member Renfrew County Auxiliary Unit.

Under the proposed contract, a portion of the municipal complement would specifically be allocated to the Town. These would include:

• .35 staff sergeant

• 1.4 sergeants

• 9.45 constables

• 1.05 civilians

This would represent 11.2 uniformed officers dedicated to the Town. As well, we are advised that the OPP would enter into a contract with the current special constable to provide court security and related functions. The cost of this specific arrangement would be born by the municipality.

Overall, this would represent a decrease to the current municipal policing resources of the Town and surrounding municipalities of 5 uniformed police officers and .3 civilian positions.

The proposed officer to citizen ratio for the municipal policing resources for the integrated detachment area would be 1:781 (32 officers: 25,003 citizens). The

overall proposed supervisor to employee ratio would be 1:8.8 (5 supervisors: 44 employees).

The proposed integrated area will receive 24 hours a day, seven days a week policing. Officers will be assigned to four platoons, working twelve-hour rotating shifts assigned to five patrol zones.

The patrol zones will conform with those currently in place. The Town itself will continue as a distinct zone with a minimum of two officers at any one time.

It is also proposed that both existing police facilities continue to be used. The current Renfrew Police Service station on Raglan Street would become the Detachment Administration Centre. It would be open to members of the public between 0830 to 1700 hours Monday through Friday. It will accommodate 12 officers and 2 civilian employees. The current OPP building on Stewart Street North would house shared specialist resources, including a Detective Constable Unit and the Community Services Officer. It would also be open five days a week between 0830 and 1700 hours.

A number of renovations are proposed to the Raglan Street facility in response to the recommendations contained in the 1998 Ministry Inspection Report. We note that two of the previous recommendations have already been met (i.e. moving secure temporary storage for firearms for officers processing prisoners near the sally port and installing a firearm unloading centre).

We have been provided with a detailed architect’s plan for the proposed renovations and a construction contract dated July 18, 2000. It calls for some expansion into current municipal space. Specific renovations include:

• the creation of separate female, shower and washroom facilities

• the installation of a secure counter and door in the front lobby area and a steel security door at the rear staff entrance

• a new interview room which would also allow for private prisoner phone calls

• an oleoresin decontamination station in the sally port

• new steel fixtures in the 4 cells and plexi-glass panels for cell doors

The total cost will be approximately $100,000 with a scheduled completion date of September 4, 2000.

The current OPP facility will service as an Operations Centre. A number of renovations are proposed. We are informed that anti-ligature modifications are being made to the two cells and an oleoresin decontamination station installed in the garage area. Video monitoring equipment is scheduled for “early in the next fiscal year”.

We are advised that there are no plans to install special gun lockers. Rather, all uniformed staff have approved personal storage boxes. These will also be issued to former Renfrew Police Service officers. We are also informed that the storage problem is the result of a number of large investigations and that the situation would resolve itself once the involved documentation was archived.

The existing Renfrew Police Service and OPP Community Policing Offices would continue to operate. All communications would be provided from the Perth OPP Communications Centre.

The integrated detachment would be equipped with eleven vehicles (ten marked cruisers and one unmarked vehicle). Other equipment would include:

• 1 bicycle

• 2 all-terrain vehicles (with trailer)

• 2 snowmobiles

• 1 twenty-one foot boat and trailer

• 1 Borkenstein Breathalyzer

• 4 Drager Alcotest Units

• 4 radar units

• 8 long guns

• 1 spike belt

In addition to the above all Renfrew Police Service officers would be issued with

Sig Sauer P229 sidearms and receive firearms conversion training.

It is proposed that all current Renfrew Police Service officers be offered employment with the OPP. The current Deputy Chief and sergeant would be assessed under the OPP Rank Level Determination Process. One civilian clerical employee would also be offered employment.

As part of a transitional process, it is proposed that both Renfrew and OPP officers would conduct joint patrols. This would also permit OPP communications training. As well, there would be a one-week orientation course at the Provincial Police Academy in Orillia.

The proposed detachment would be overseen by a section 10 police services board, with a proposed budget of $27,100 including $5,000 for training purposes.

Decision:

Is the proposal as presented likely to provide the Town of Renfrew and the balance of the integrated Detachment area with adequate and effective police services?

The Act does not currently define what constitutes adequate and effective police services. However, certain sections of the Act and prior Commission decisions provide assistance. In particular, section 4(2) of the Act states:

4(2) Adequate and effective police services must include, at a minimum, all of the following police services:

1. Crime prevention.

2. Law enforcement.

3. Assistance to victims of crime.

4. Police order maintenance.

5. Emergency response.

Section 4(3) sets out that a municipality must provide “all the infrastructure and administration necessary for providing such services, including vehicles, boats, equipment, communications devices, buildings and supplies”.

Commission decisions in various contexts have articulated different tests to assess or determine adequacy. At page 15 of Municipality of Chatham-Kent (14

August, 1998) we stated:

Broadly these tests have been comparative or alternative. The comparative tests may be applied historically or geographically. Where it is applied historically, the current or proposed staffing level is compared to that which the municipality has received in the past. If past staffing levels were considered adequate the proposed or current level is normally presumed to be adequate and effective.

Where the comparative test is applied geographically the proposed

or current staffing level is measured against those found in communities of similar size or needs. If the levels are considered adequate in those communities a similar level proposed is generally presumed to be adequate.

How do these tests apply to this application?

At the present time, the Town of Renfrew and surrounding rural municipalities are policed by two different services. The Town deploys 14 uniformed officers for an officer to citizen ratio of 1:590. In the surrounding Townships the OPP deploy 23 uniformed officers for an officer to citizen ratio of 1:728.

Based on the above, the two forces collectively deploy 37 officers to provide municipal police services to a total population of 25,003 citizens. This represents an overall officer to citizen ratio of 1:676.

It is proposed to integrate these resources into a new structure consisting of 32 uniformed officers for an officer to citizen ratio of 1:781. On the face of it this is a reduction of five uniformed positions and a decrease in the officer to citizen ratio of 15.5%.

It is suggested that the proposed arrangement is supported by a workload analysis of calls for service. Further, it is suggested that the staffing levels compare favorably with other communities of a similar size and character.

By way of comment, we note that the proposed arrangement bears similarity to that which the Commission approved for the new Township of North Grenville in Town of Kemptville (March 6, 1998). By this we refer to the notion of an integrated detachment with the former municipally policed area remaining a single patrol zone.

As well, the Commission examined such an arrangement for the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry in Township of North Glengarry (October 15,

1999). That case involved the creation of an integrated detachment in eastern Ontario for a mixed rural and urban area of 3,100 square kilometres with 3,267 kilometres of municipal roads and households and 161 kilometres of provincial highways. The approved municipal officer to citizen ratio was 1:774.

As noted above, the proposed arrangement calls for a similar officer to citizen ratio of 1:781. This is for a mixed rural and urban area of 2,309.5 square kilometres with 3,934.5 kilometres of municipal roads and 153 kilometres of provincial highways.

There are, however, some obvious differences between Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and the area under question. The obvious one is population. Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry has 61,951 residents living in 25,093 households. The Town of Renfrew and surrounding areas has 25,093 residents living in 12,452 households.

In Town of Tecumseh (January 20, 2000) the Commission examined the policing arrangements for a number of mixed rural and urban areas in Essex County. Specifically there were six municipalities with populations ranging from 18,407 to

24,042. The average officer to citizen ratio was 1:804.

Accordingly, while the proposed arrangement would result in a reduction of overall policing resources it would still permit an officer to citizen ratio in line with other mixed urban and rural communities with similar characteristics. As well, we note that the reduction appears to arise largely from an integration of management resources (i.e. the elimination of a chief, deputy chief and two sergeant positions) and not front line officers.

The proposed arrangement would have a total of 5 supervisors for 44 employees. This is a ratio of 1:9. It is certainly within the acceptable level of span of control identified by the Commission in Town of Goderich (October 27,

1997).

There are also two other factors worth mentioning. The first relates to the demographics. Statistics from 1997 suggests that the Town of Renfrew has an older population. 75.6% of the residents are over 25 years of age. Indeed,

23.4% are 65 and over. This perhaps reflects the presence of a number of retirement facilities in the community.

Second, there was some suggestion from former Chief McBain that calls for service in the community have increased significantly in the past years and that some of the data presented does not properly reflect workload requirements. We were informed that the calls for the police service for the proposed integrated

area were:

1997- 5,571

1998- 5,842

1999- 6,102

2000- 2,844 (first six months)

This would indicate an increase of slightly over 3% annually between 1997 and

1999. We believe that a certain portion of this is reflective of extraordinary demands caused by some severe winter storms in the recent past.

While, the general trend is certainly worth monitoring, we are not satisfied (particularly given the calls so far for 2000) and the profile of the community in question that the proposed resources would not be sufficient to meet normal policing requirements.

Further, this arrangement would have certain obvious advantages for the Town of Renfrew. It would:

• preserve the current twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week front line policing arrangement for the Town (i.e two officers on duty at any time);

• allow for the availability of 9 provincial officers working out of the same detachment to support municipal policing requirements; and

• permit access to a 25 member local auxiliary unit and OPP Regional and Headquarters resources.

Overall, we are satisfied that the proposed staffing level and deployment would permit “adequate and effective” policing and provide the range of services contemplated by section 4(2) of the Act.

The next issue is facilities. We have examined both buildings and considered the renovation plans. The expansion and modifications to the Raglan Street building is well considered and would appear to meet most of the issues identified in the

1998 Ministry Inspection Report. There are, however, two matters with respect to this building which concern us.

First, the renovations do not call for the installation of video monitoring equipment in areas where prisoners are processed or detained (i.e sally port area, cells and interview rooms). In our view, given the layout of the building, this is essential for both officer and prisoner safety.

Second the Inspection Report identified problems with the current intrusion alarms and keypad access systems. It is not clear to us whether or not these problems have been resolved. At a minimum, we believe that both the alarm and external locking systems should be examined by the Infrastructure Support Bureau to determine whether or not they meet OPP standards. If not, then any necessary changes must be made.

The current OPP facility on Stewart Street North is an older bungalow style building that appears to be in generally good order. We are pleased to see that changes are now being made to the cell area to reduce the potential of prisoner hanging. It is long overdue.

We are also satisfied that there are plans to install video-monitoring equipment. However, in our view this should not wait until fiscal 2001. As well, it was evident to us that the building lacked sufficient storage space for both records and evidence. This may well be resolved in the future when certain files are archived. In the meanwhile some alternative arrangement is required. We do not propose

to suggest how this should be done, but wish to see a firm plan in this regard.

Subject, to the above and the continuation of the existing Community Policing Offices we believe that the proposed facilities should be satisfactory. As well, we find that the proposed equipment for the integrated detachment would appear to be sufficient.

We have also considered the proposed communications and dispatch arrangement. As we noted at page 8 of Town of Goderich (April 15, 1998):

It is self-evident that a proper communications and dispatch system is a key element of “adequate and effective” policing. Citizens of a community must be able to readily contact their local police forces in cases of emergency. The police force must have an effective means to respond to such calls for service.

Essentially, it is proposed that all communications would be handled from the

OPP Communications Centre in Perth. Given the local enhanced 911 service,

the staffing and equipment in place and the experience of that facility with dispatching in the region we have no doubt that it can manage the additional 2 to 3 thousand calls a year in question.

Accordingly, we are prepared to approve the proposed communications arrangement. We do wish to make it clear that this approval is based on the communications function continuing as described during the life of any contract. Any significant changes proposed during that period must be brought to the Commission’s attention in advance.

Overall, assuming the requirements referred to above are met, we are satisfied that the proposed arrangement will provide the necessary administration and infrastructure to allow for adequate and effective policing in the Town and other areas included in the proposed integrated policing arrangement.

This brings us to the issues of termination and severance. As noted above, all current uniformed members and one full time civilian employee of the Service will be offered employment with the OPP. As well, it would appear that a further civilian special constable will be offered a contract with the local detachment.

Severance agreements have been reached with former Chief McBain and

Acting Chief Bob Thompson.

We are informed by the President of the Renfrew Police Association that there are a number of outstanding severance issues relating to pay-out entitlements. The Ontario Police Arbitration Commission has been contacted to initiate conciliation proceedings.

We therefore direct that if there are any outstanding severance issues 90 calendar days from the date of this decision that the parties proceed forthwith to arbitration.

Accordingly, pursuant to section 40 of the Police Services Act we consent to the abolition of the Renfrew Police Service.

This approval is subject to the following conditions:

1. The proposed dedicated municipal policing actual complement of 32 uniformed municipal police officers be in place.

2. The proposed renovations to the Raglan Street and Stewart Street

North facilities are completed.

3. Video equipment is installed in both facilities to permit monitoring of cells, garage and interview areas.

4. The alarm and external locking system of the Raglan Street police facility be examined by the Infrastructure Support Bureau to determine whether or not they meet OPP standards and any modifications completed.

5. That the Commission be presented with a plan to ensure there is sufficient suitable storage space for records, exhibits and evidence currently held at the Stewart Street North facility.

6. That no significant changes occur during the term of the contract to the communications and dispatch arrangement from the Perth Communications Centre without the prior approval of the Commission.

7. Any severance issues outstanding 90 days following the release of this decision proceed forthwith to arbitration.

The proposal, as described above, is not to be altered without consent in writing from the Commission.