THUNDER BAY – Crimebeat – The City of Pembroke Ontario’s city council has made a difficult decision, one that changes the policing in the community. A decision made at council this week will, if approved by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission after public consulation, see the 134 year-old Pembroke Police Service disbanded.
The City stated in a media release, “Following a substantial third party imposed arbitration award made in favour of Pembroke Police Dispatchers and Special Constables in November 2010, the City’s previous Council directed staff to begin the process to formally request a costing from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) for policing services in the community.
“Upon taking office, the new Council (2010 – 21014) reaffirmed this direction. On January 18, 2011, Council passed a resolution requesting that the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services approve a costing for policing of the City of Pembroke by the Ontario Provincial Police”.
The costing from the OPP has come in at a more affordable cost to the community. The decision will not impact current police officers. Officers will be able to apply to join the OPP and will keep their jobs.
Likely across Ontario, as the provincial government starts to enact needed spending cuts, it is likely many other communities are going to follow in the same direction as Pembroke in opting for more affordable policing options.