The Town of St. Marys has received approval to contract with the Stratford Police Service.
The application to bring the Stratford Police Service to St. Marys was approved by council members Tuesday, following the green light from the Ontario Civilian Police Commission on April 13.
An extensive review of policing alternatives last year explored ways that the town could enhance the service that is currently provided by the OPP.
A proposal provided by the Stratford Police Services offered a number of service level improvements at a reduced cost, compared to what is currently offered by the OPP.
Under the Stratford Police Service’s new model, a dedicated officer will be stationed in St. Marys eight hours a day, five days a week, with an additional officer on patrol 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
In addition, the Town of St. Marys will have access to all of the Stratford Police Service’s internal specialties, as well as those that are contracted from other police departments.
To ensure that the town has an opportunity to provide input on local policing priorities, the St. Marys Police Services Board will be replaced by a local Community Policing Advisory Committee that will meet with the Stratford police chief on a monthly basis.
While there will be an initial $308,584 in start-up costs to bring the Stratford Police Service to St. Marys, the annual operating cost of $929,953 will be less than the $1,155,089 the Town currently pays for the OPP.
The change in providers is projected to take effect at the end of 2017, when the town’s contract with the OPP expires.