Final date for policing service transition announced

Following extensive contract negotiations, the Town of St. Marys is announcing a final date for its policing service transition. On Monday, November 5, 2018, the Town will officially welcome the Stratford Police Service to St. Marys. 

The Town’s application to bring the Stratford Police Service to St. Marys was approved by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) and members of Council in mid-2017. The decision to change providers followed a review of policing alternatives that was completed in 2016. The review resulted in a proposal from the Stratford Police Service that offered a number of service level improvements at a reduced cost, compared to what is currently offered by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Under the Stratford Police Service’s new model, a dedicated officer will be stationed in St. Marys eight hours a day, five days a week, with an additional officer on patrol 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Having a St. Marys-specific officer on-hand at all times will help to ensure timely responses to police calls and allow for more proactive patrolling.

In addition, the Town of St. Marys will have access to all of the Stratford Police Service’s internal specialties, as well as those that are contracted from other police departments. The Town will also have the option to further increase service levels by employing cadets or bike patrols. To ensure that the Town has an opportunity to provide input on local policing priorities, the St. Marys Police Services Board will be replaced by a local Community Policing Advisory Committee that will meet with the Stratford Police Chief on a monthly basis.

While there will be an initial $308,584 in start-up costs to bring the Stratford Police Service to St. Marys, the annual operating cost of $929,953 will be less than the $1,155,089 the Town currently pays for the OPP. A portion of the money saved through the switch will be funneled into a cost stabilization reserve that will be used in case of a major policing event in St. Marys.

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Contact

Brett O’Reilly | Corporate Communications & Events Manager
519-284-2340, ext. 432 | boreilly@town.stmarys.on.ca