Council turns down policing bid from Windsor

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — The Windsor Police Service bid for policing in Leamington was unanimously rejected by Leamington Council at a special meeting last Tuesday, May 18.

Although it brings the Request for Proposal (RFP) process to an end, “This is just a first step,” according to Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald.

The issue goes back to the 2018 municipal election, when residents expressed disappointment with the level of service from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

“A couple of years ago, we heard from residents that they weren’t happy with the level of service,” said Councillor John Hammond.

In late 2019, council commissioned a report on the RFP process from Michael Mitchell of MPM Consulting and at that time, they heard about different options available, should they decide to terminate the contract with the OPP.

Mitchell’s report, at the time, concluded that the OPP were providing service in compliance with all mandatory adequacy standards, but lacked flexibility in customizing its service delivery model to the specific needs of the municipality.

Council had reached out to OPP leadership with hopes of opening a discussion on that flexibility and were told that the policing model was adequate.

In June of last year, council voted to terminate the contract of the OPP and give the required one-year notice to do so. That contract expires on June 9, 2021.

“We have no issues with the boots on the ground,” said Councillor Paul Tiessen. “There needs to be change from the top.”

The RFP process began last fall, with specific levels of service outlined in the request. Documents were sent to Windsor Police Service, LaSalle Police Service and Chatham-Kent Police Service, as well as the Solicitor General, who oversees the OPP contracts.

Only Windsor and Chatham-Kent responded with proposals and administration viewed only the Windsor proposal as meeting the standards set out in the RFP. However, due to a large increase in cost over the current policing, they recommended council not accept the Windsor proposal.

“This decision was originally not about the money,” said MacDonald. “It was about level of service.”

“Now it’s coming down to money,” she added. “Do we subject our residents to an enormous tax increase?”

Councillor Tim Wilkinson answered that emphatically.

“For me, it’s pretty obvious, the impact this would have,” he said.

“I cannot burden our taxpayers with a 13 per cent increase, especially during COVID,” added Councillor Bill Dunn.

Deputy Mayor Larry Verbeke suggested that maybe they put the decision on the ballot in the next election in 2022.

“I know people have campaigned for a change,” he said. “So how about putting it on the ballot?”

The tax increase would amount to about $223 per household, for houses assessed at about $175,000. With the recent skyrocketing of real estate values, that figure would rise considerably.

“We have a difficult decision to make tonight,” said Councillor Trevor Jones. “Would a change in service yield different results?”

With a recorded vote, all councillors and the Mayor voted to reject the WPS proposal, with a promise to have discussions with the OPP upper echelon in coming weeks.

“We are not reverting to status quo,” said MacDonald. “We will continue to advocate for transparent, accountable and more than just ‘adequate’ service.”

The OPP cost for 2021 is approximately $5.7 million, while WPS came in at $9.5 million, with the OPP required to stay on after the contract expiry under the Police Services Act. Changes to the OPP’s Community Safety Policing Act are due to come into effect in early 2022, which may change the level of service at that point.

OPP Regional Commander Glenn Miller issued a statement late last week.

“In response to the decision undertaken by the Town of Leamington with regard to policing, Essex County OPP looks forward to working with community leaders and residents in continuing the delivery of dedicated, professional and cost effective policing to the community of Leamington,” he said. “I want to express my thanks for the unwavering hard work and commitment shown by our Leamington OPP members as the municipality moved through this process. I remain immensely proud of our uniform members and civilian employees at our Leamington Detachment.”