Policing Services are likely to remain the same in Lakefield after Selwyn Township’s Council meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
During the meeting Selwyn’s CAO Janice Lavalley presented a report to council in regards to the future of the policing contract in the Lakefield Ward.
Lavalley stated that Selwyn’s currently five year contract with the policing contract in Lakefield ends on December 31, 2025. This means council would have to make a decision on whether to enter into another contract with their current policing provider which is the City of Peterborough’s Peterborough Community Police Service (PCPS), or find a new provider.
All other Wards in Selwyn are policed by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)
Lakefield is currently policed by the PCPS which was negotiated through a history with the organization.
Years ago, Lakefield had its very own police service which would eventually amalgamate into the Peterborough-Lakefield Police Service.
In 2014, this service was de-amalgamated and Peterborough Police Service continued policing the area through agreed contracts with the township.
Township staff have now recommended that Selwyn proceed to enter into discussions with the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Community Police Service for the renewal of the current police services agreement for another five year term.
However, earlier this year there was discussion from council to review other options which may have some cost savings for policing in Lakefield.
Though staff recommended staying with Peterborough services, Lavalley presented three options for council to consider:
1. Pursue Renewal with the City/PCPS : As provided for in the agreement, the term of the contract may be extended through mutual agreement of the parties.
2. Pursue Costing from both the City/PCPS and OPP for Lakefield Ward: The Township would need to formally request costings from both services. A level of Service would need to be established as the basis for the costing proposals. Proposals would consider this established level of service along with the historical calls for service information to develop their proposals
3. Request for Costing from City/PCPS and OPP for all Wards: This Option is similar to Option #2 with the exception that the recommended public engagement would need to expand to include all Wards (not just Lakefield). The City/PCPS would have the option to provide the requested costing or decline to do so.
Lavalley stressed that should council decide to move to a different service, that public consultation should be undertaken as there is a lot of history involved with policing in Lakefield.
She also said that it is common for municipalities to engage a third party with expertise in the area of policing to help with the facilitation and the evaluation of any proposals to make sure that they are comparing apples to apples and not apples to oranges. However, the report stated that it is expected that the option of utilizing consulting services for facilitation of the process and analysis of proposals would be in the range of $40,000 to $50,000.
Mayor Sherry Senis said while it is nice to have options for policing in Selwyn, she has never received any complaints in her time as Mayor or Deputy Mayor or Councillor for Selwyn Township.
She said that while they could move forward with getting quotes form each service, it would be a large commitment financially as well as in staff and council time.
She stated that she supports the staff recommendation to renegotiate with the city and PCPS.
Coun. John Boyko moved the recommendation from staff stating the only complaints he has ever received in regards to policing haven’t been about service but rather traffic and speeding. He said that as the council member who sits on the PCPS board, he has seen these matters addressed swiftly and efficiently.
Deputy Mayor Ron Black asked staff if it would be possible in the renegotiations with the city and PCPS, if they could arrange to have their representative on that policing board as a voting member. Right now, through the contract, Selwyn Township is able to have a member sit on their board but they have no voting rights and are kept out if in-camera (confidential) meetings.
Lavalley said that they have had those discussions before and it was always rejected but they can certainly ask and see.
Black seconded the motion to enter discussions with the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Community Police Service to provide for the renewal of the current police services agreement for another five year term. The motion was carried.
