NCJ Number
176962
Journal
Gazette Volume: 60 and 61 Issue: 12 & 1 Dated: December/January 1998/99 Pages: 16-21
Date Published
1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Given the rethinking of policing and police structuring across Ontario (Canada), municipalities that are considering creating more efficient and effective police services may wish to consider the Chatham-Kent model used in the creation of a new amalgamated police organization.
Abstract
Prior to the amalgamation effort, four municipal police services and three jurisdictions under contract to the Ontario Provincial Police delivered police services. The four municipal services each had a Police Service Board. As early as December 1995, the municipal police chiefs had begun discussions about a single agency for the delivery of police services within the county. Subsequently, a commission developed an order that established a single agency to provide policing for the new municipality of Chatham-Kent. It also specified three options from which to choose, but did not provide any method through which the decision would be made. A transitional coordinating committee was created, with committee members chairing individual task forces to report on all issues involved in the operation of the new municipality. This article focuses on the work of the Policing Task Force. The Task Force obtained information and input from multiple sources to ensure the integrity and fairness of the process. Under the general recognition that new or different methods of providing police services were necessary, new partnerships were considered, and community resources were necessary to provide services that historically had been delivered by sworn police personnel. More programs were considered and implemented cooperatively with other public service units. Alternative methods of funding programs were developed within the community. Volunteerism was accepted as a viable option for functions that previously had been discharged by officers. Although no ideal organization or structure can apply to all municipalities, the Chatham-Kent process and structure for change is useful in providing flexibility to have economies of scale while maintaining local continuity or ownership along with accountability. 3 notes