Sarnia council to consider OPP transition study over $120 million police headquarters cost

The Sarnia City Council will debate a formal request to review the feasibility of switching to Ontario Provincial Police services to avoid a looming $120 million capital expenditure. The motion seeks a transparent comparison of costs and governance to determine if a municipal force remains the most sustainable option for local taxpayers.

A looming $120 million capital expenditure for a new police headquarters has prompted a formal call to investigate alternative policing models for the City of Sarnia. Councillor Bill Dennis has submitted a notice of motion for the March 9, 2026, council meeting, directing city staff to undertake a comprehensive review of transitioning to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

The motion identifies the estimated cost of the proposed facility as an "unpalatable" long-term property tax burden. In correspondence with the Journal, Dennis stated his position is grounded in fiscal responsibility rather than ideology, claiming the review would not be necessary if the Police Service Board had not attempted to "force" the expenditure on citizens through legal counsel.

The proposed resolution seeks an independent comparison between the current municipal model and provincial options, focusing on:

• Full financial and operational costs.
• Governance and capital infrastructure requirements.
• Transparency for taxpayers through a public report.

While the motion directly challenges the cost of the new headquarters, Dennis maintained that the proposal is not intended to diminish the professionalism of the current members of the Sarnia Police Service. Instead, the focus remains on ensuring municipal expenditures are affordable and sustainable for the community.

The move comes amid ongoing discussions regarding police leadership and facility planning. The findings of any approved review would be presented in a public report to ensure accountability in the decision-making process.

Council is expected to debate the motion at the upcoming regular session.