Amherstburg's mayor says the Ontario Civilian Police Commission has signed off on a contract to have the Windsor Police Service take over policing in the town.
The commission made an official announcement Friday morning, but Mayor Aldo DiCarlo says the town was notified late Thursday afternoon.
He says the next challenge will be to ensure the transition between now and January 1 is smooth.
"Everything's already been approved by council pending approval from the OCPC," says DiCarlo. "Now it's just a matter of finalizing with OCPC. They do require a copy of the contract now and any agreements or disagreements we have outstanding with the Amherstburg Police Association."
DiCarlo promised to review options for the future of policing in the last municipal election. Reaction from the town's residents has been mixed with many expressing support for the local force, but the 20-year contract with Windsor police is expected to save Amherstburg $570,000 a year.
Officers in Amherstburg will become employees of the Windsor Police Service with the opportunity to advance. The town's police chief and deputy police chief will become administrators, and DiCarlo says the public will receive the same level of service they enjoy now.
"The police officers we have, I gotta believe are staying put for at least the short-term," says DiCarlo. "As far as when the transition happens, I don't think most people will notice much of a change."
The contract will be reviewed every five years. If either side decides to terminate the agreement, they will have to notify the other party 18 months ahead of time.