Belleville rejects OPP cost study of policing of Belleville by OPP in a 5-4 vote

Council voted 5-4 against pushing for a report outlining how much it would cost Belleville to dismantle its municipal force in favour of an Ontario Provincial Police detachment

The Intelligencer

The report would have cost the city over $150,000 to prepare.

For

• Councillor Jackie Denyes
• Mayor Neil Ellis
• Councillor Taso Christopher
• Councillor Tom Lafferty

The silent majority is not here … and I don’t think that matters. The police chief had her chance to present her position; council must now give the OPP a chance and try to get the best value for our taxpayers’ dollars.

Councillor Jackie Denyes

Mayor Neil Ellis said he had discussed a regional force with his fellow mayors in Quinte West and Prince Edward County but their position was they weren’t interested unless it was with the OPP.

Going for costing doesn’t mean you’re going (to switch services)

Once we build [the new $20M police station], it’s too late to turn back.

We need more information on police systems and costs

Mayor Neil Ellis

Councillor Taso Christopher said he supported the OPP study mainly because it opened up opportunities to work toward a Quinte regional police force which he felt was more important than whether such a force would be OPP or local.

Councillor Tom Lafferty said he originally supported the city force, but changed his mind to obtain full information from both possibilities.

Against

• Councillor Pat Culhane
• Councillor Garnet Thompson
• Councillor Jodie Jenkins
• Councillor Jack Miller

Councillor Pat Culhane, Councillor Garnet Thompson and Councillor Jodie Jenkins were succinct in expressing full support for the local force and saw no need to force costs and tensions on city staff and citizens for a study.

Councillor Jack Miller, who reviewed the data he collected first hand from other municipalities and other documents showing OPP officers will soon become the highest paid in Ontario; some communities had opted for studies turned down the OPP because of high costs and the Ontario auditor general had been critical of lack of cost effectiveness of the OPP.

Councillors who voted against seeking a OPP cost estimate received thunderous applause at Belleville’s council chamber Monday night.

A flood of local residents, firefighters and police officers including police association president, Peter Goulah, stood up in council and applauded following the vote.