Webcast. Screenshot. Dryden Council
Dryden Council still has a long way to go in making a decision on the future of policing in the community.
Winnipeg-based consulting firm MNP delivered its findings Monday, three weeks after a presentation from Provincial Police.
Chad Lins talked to various municipal CAO’s and managers to discuss comparisons and he outlined some perceived weaknesses to switching to OPP.
“Moving from a municipal service to OPP is quite a time and resource consuming process and there’s a lot of effort that goes into it and don’t underestimate it. There was also a little bit of discussion around OPP members maybe not being dispatched to some very minor crimes.”
Lins says suggested input also indicates there can also be a loss of familiarity with the officers of the OPP due to the regional policing model and internal transfers.
He also presented perceived strengths.
“There was concerns about response times and decreased levels of service. In general though the jurisdictions we spoke to said they were quite satisfied with response times and level of service to date.”
He notes both Dryden Police and OPP don’t record response time, an issue staff and council believe is important in making a final policing decision.
Other noted strengths:
-Generally, the cost savings for police services offered by the OPP were perceived to be a significant contributing factor for transitioning away from a municipal service.
-Municipalities mentioned that reduced liability and administrative burden was important in their decision to transition to the OPP.
-The OPP were perceived to have comprehensive policies and procedures.
Chad Lins took a look at the start-up costs of moving to OPP.
Transition costs would be $3 million and the first year contract would be $5.3 million, totaling $8.3 million.
The transition component includes $2,025,286 in severance assuming the Chief of Police, Inspector and civilians don’t transition to OPP, and assuming 75% of remaining sworn officers move to OPP.
Lins says the City would start seeing real savings in year eight of the contract.
“The flat call for service, the end of the 15 years, the OPP’s cost is approximately $72 and the DPS $83 million. The 4% annual growth in calls for service were $90 and $99 million respectively.”
The Dryden Police Service and Board will deliver its report next Monday.
Go to the June 7 meeting video at the bottom of the City of Dryden Meeting Page page to hear the full report.
