In a recent Journal article the now former chair of the police services board stated municipal appointees don’t represent the taxpayer the moment they walk into the police station. Time to change board meeting locations. Police boards in Ontario were created by the provincial government to ensure that the standards legislated by the Ministry of […]
In a recent Journal article the now former chair of the police services board stated municipal appointees don’t represent the taxpayer the moment they walk into the police station. Time to change board meeting locations.
Police boards in Ontario were created by the provincial government to ensure that the standards legislated by the Ministry of the Solicitor General’s office were being met to meet the policing needs of the municipality and the province
A police board also serves to keep in check any potential political and financial pressures being placed upon a chief such as those seen in the United States where municipal chiefs answer directly to the Mayor or City Manger.
It can be said that councillors serving on police board wear two hats. While they must act independently and for the best interests of the board to provide adequate policing they also expected to practice due diligence regarding police budgets by balancing the budget with the municipal taxpayers interest. As such councillors sitting on police boards can vote against a proposed police budget and later at municipal council.
During my time as a chief of police I had the pleasure of serving with a number of local police board members, some appointed for political reasons. Although they had the common purpose of ensuring that policing in Sarnia was being met according to Ministry standards and the communities needs they were also aware that the needs of other municipal departments had to be addressed also and as such their decisions to vote against a budget was respected for their responsibilities to the city.
Sometimes the challenge to the board is, do we provide policing through the Cadillac or Volkswagen version to achieve the goals set before them.
Phil Nelson
