Changes coming to Norfolk Police Services Board
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The Norfolk Police Services Board will take on a new look as the province’s new Community Policing and Safety Act went into effect April 1.
David Tillley, police services adviser for Zone 4 from the Office of the Ministry of the Solicitor General, told the PSB during a March 27 meeting that the act will be a new framework for civilian input into the OPP through a detachment-based police service board.
“This will be a net new board once it’s up and running, though it will look similar,” said Tilley, who took board members into an in-camera training session outlining the roles and responsibilities of board members, and the board as a whole.
Effective April 1, there will be three board members appointed by Norfolk County Council, one citizen appointment, and one provincial appointment.
Board chair Kim Huffman, Ward 2 councillor Linda Vandendriessche, and civilian appointee Michael Cruse will remain on the board, as terms are staggered to avoid a board having all new members.
Currently, Willie Vanheughten and George Santos are the two provincial appointees on the board, whom Huffman thanked for their service “done with honesty and integrity.”
Santos said he would not be seeking a return to the PSB.
Huffman said the board has reviewed all policies and procedures in preparation for the change but noted most of the work was done by the Solicitor General’s office.
“Council voted in favour of an additional board member to be a council member in order to ensure that we are providing proper oversight to all residents,” she explained. “We will receive the provincial appointment in the near future from the Solicitor General’s office. Council will also vote on a new board member soon.”
Huffman said she feels the new act will provide more autonomy to the Norfolk Police Service Board, adding that she looks forward to building on a strong and positive relationship with Norfolk OPP detachment commander Insp. Andy Tait.
“I want to say to the public, our police services board is in very good shape to make this transition,” she said. “We’ve done a lot of groundwork and with the assistance of Mr. Tilley, things are looking very positive, and it should be a seamless transition. I don’t think the community, or our OPP detachment will notice any bumps in the road.”
bethompson@postmedia.com
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