Police Services Board Changing, Applicants Sought
Starting April 1, 2024, the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, in Ontario will replace the Police Services Act from 1990. As a result, the Orillia Police Services Board will be dissolved, and the Couchiching OPP Detachment Board will be established.
Under the act, the City of Orillia and Townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara, and Severn are inviting applications to join the newly formed board.
The new Couchiching OPP Detachment Board will be responsible for:
- Participating in the selection of the Detachment Commander;
- Determining objectives and priorities for police services after consultation with the Detachment Commander;
- Advising the Detachment Commander with respect to policing provided by the Detachment;
- Monitoring the performance of the Detachment Commander;
- Reviewing regular reports from the Detachment Commander regarding policing provided by the Detachment, and
- Providing an annual report to the municipalities regarding the policing provided by the Detachment in their municipalities.
The board will include one elected official from each municipality, as well as four community members and two provincial appointees. Residents who live in one of these communities are invited to apply by Sunday, March 3, 2024.
Experience in local government and/or serving on agencies, boards and committees is considered an asset. Other eligibility requirements are:
you must:
- Be an eligible elector in one of the member municipalities
- Obtain a current and acceptable Criminal Record Check, at your expense, prior to appointment to the Board.
- Successfully complete various online training courses
You are not eligible if you are:
- A judge or justice of the peace
- A member of a police service, special constable, or a First Nation Officer
- Someone practising criminal law (either defence or prosecution)
- A director, officer, or employee of any policing provider
- A former member of a police services unless:
- The OPP Detachment Board does not maintain a police service that the person was a member of; and
- At least one year has passed since the person ceased to be a member of any police service.
Appointees to the board will receive compensation at a per-diem rate and will be reimbursed for travel mileage to and from meetings. This opportunity offers a chance to participate in shaping local law enforcement and safety initiatives.
To apply, interested applicants can submit their applications (cover letter and resumé) by email to Kristine Preston, deputy clerk for the City of Orillia, at kpreston@orillia.ca or deliver them in person to the Orillia City Centre or the Oro-Medonte, Ramara, or Severn Township municipal offices.
After completing the interview and selection process, each municipality will appoint its own community member to the board.
Starting April 1, 2024, the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA, 2019) in Ontario will replace the Police Services Act from 1990. As a result, the Orillia Police Services Board will be dissolved, and the Couchiching OPP Detachment Board will be established.
You can find more information online.
