Northumberland County says work is underway on a review to support municipal planning for future policing services.
This is still very much in the “data gathering process,” clarified Warden Brian Ostrander, who also serves as Brighton’s mayor, during a county council meeting Wednesday, where attendees heard more about Northumberland’s “police services review” via a presentation delivered by StrategyCorp.
According to the county, the review is aimed at a more in-depth look at the delivery of services longer-term, to ensure effective and affordable policing in the wake of “transformational change” and anticipated population growth.
Based on earlier council direction, staff retained StrategyCorp – a third party organization – to undertake a review of Northumberland’s three services.
During the meeting, StrategyCorp staff – Sabine Matheson, an engagement principal and Brian Teefy, vice-president – spoke to and delivered the initial nine-page report Wednesday, which was received by council for information purposes only (meaning no action taken.)
This process is in the beginning stages – no decisions have been made, explained Matthew Nitsch, director of finance/treasurer for Northumberland County, who called the presentation an “initial kick-off.” Nitsch also explained that while this isn’t the norm in such processes, this was decided on given public interest.
The presentation focused on background, planned methodology, including under engagement/consultation efforts, factors for consideration, and potential scenarios that may arise for consideration.
Those identified in the report do include maintaining the status quo, an amalgamation of some sorts for either some communities or all, and/or empowering a neighbouring service – Durham, Peterborough or the OPP, as examples – to provide services for the entire county. The report also notes other options may still arise for consideration.
In terms of a timespan, it appears the lens will be applied to options that could be pursued over 15 years.
Attendees also heard none of the work to arrive at any of these conclusions is done – and that it could turn out to be a “happy with what you have” scenario.
Nevertheless, the goal for the study is to provide recommendations to structure and equip services to meet future needs.
The study will consider an array of factors – how Northumberland is anticipated to grow by 35 per cent over the next 25 years or so to a population of 122,000, as just one example. Other considerations cited in the report include how the county is also managing growing social challenges, including homelessness, encampments and mental health and substance use issues, which are “straining social service and emergency response providers.”
The policing landscape provincewide and “significant changes” associated with introduction of the Community Safety and Policing Act (2019), as well as “increased public scrutiny” and “resource-constrained services” were also acknowledged.
“Northumberland County is undergoing transformational change and growth,” echoed Ostrander after the meeting. “The principal direction of our newly-adopted community strategic plan is to guide this growth with intention.
“As the mayors of Northumberland, county council recognizes the importance of assessing current policing practices and exploring all options to meet evolving community needs.”
Ultimately, though, it is local municipalities that determine how police services are provided in their communities – a point Coun. Nicole Beatty also noted during the meeting. Cobourg’s deputy mayor was serving in the absence of Mayor Lucas Cleveland.
Beatty also asked StrategyCorp about its plans to navigate around Cobourg council and the police board previously passing resolutions to not participate in this study. In short, StrategyCorp responded sharing hopes this may change, but otherwise will defer to documentation and other sources as needed.
Northumberland has three services: the Cobourg Police Service, the Port Hope Police Service and Northumberland OPP.
“At council’s direction, this review will encompass a thorough evaluation of current policing service levels, operational costs and revenue streams,” explained county CAO Jennifer Moore. “The goal is to obtain recommendations for future service delivery, considering options ranging from maintaining existing service structures, to exploring a combined model.”
The review will culminate in a comprehensive report for council’s consideration and next steps – but not anytime soon.
The next report will go to council in the second half of 2024 – and only then will council weigh whether Phase 2 activities should advance. (Such activities could then include consultation and engagement with community members on preferred options, a full costing review, and further discussions with police service providers on costs or service improvement initiatives.)
Matheson stressed this isn’t based in a sense there is some great policing crisis locally.
“There is not a sense that things are a mess,” added Matheson, while explaining this is to hear considerations about ways to potentially optimize services/what’s already in place, to take stock, assess the future, cost drivers, et cetera, and then provide an analysis of potential options.
One of the biggest crises in policing at large, Matheson noted, is a lack of qualified officers to serve, so this won’t be about cutting jobs.
Ultimately, this is about looking at ways to keep communities and officers safe, the best value for money, using capital dollars as efficiently as possible in a time of rapid construction inflation, and those areas, continued Matheson.
There will be other considerations – urban and rural dynamics, for one. Cobourg and Port Hope services’ revenue-generating activities/successes were also noted.
The subsequent report to come will be more geared at whether it’s worth advancing to a second stage, versus this is a best model, noted Matheson.
The project methodology – which is elaborated more on in the report – includes interviews with key leaders/stakeholders; data and document review; information sharing (check out Join in Northumberland), and the later presentation to come in the form of a draft report, allowing for further review and discussions.
Hypothetically, attendees heard, if this got to that point, it could lead to services placing bids based on a price to deliver policing here.
Matheson called council’s decision to consider options wise, noting policing costs – but also acknowledged it could turn out the status quo is the best option.
“Right now, I think you’ve asked the question: Should you be happy with what you have, or should you seek some further optimization – and at this stage, it would really be premature to go anything beyond that,” Matheson told council.
There was little council reaction Wednesday, although questions were asked. Deputy Warden Olena Hankivsky – also mayor of Port Hope – urged StrategyCorp to ensure Alderville First Nation voices were included.
“Council holds local police services in the highest regard for their professionalism and dedication to community safety,” stressed Ostrander. “This review seeks to ensure that policing in our community is poised for long-term success.
“We aim to equip Northumberland municipalities with the necessary insights to make informed decisions about ensuring the safety and security of our residents well into the future.”
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
