The Chatham-Kent Police Service is throwing its hat into the ring to possibly take over as the new police service for the Municipality of Leamington.
On Monday night, council authorized Chatham-Kent police to submit a request for proposal (RFP) to the Municipality of Leamington for the provision of policing services.
In June 2020, Leamington council voted to give notice to the Ontario Provincial Police indicating that the municipality will not renew its policing contract with the agency. Leamington issued a RFP to contract police services in September.
Chatham-Kent police Chief Gary Conn gave a presentation on Monday night. However, he noted that the terms of the proposal had to be kept confidential and limited details could be shared, including specifics regarding finances and budget. Conn did confirm that if Chatham-Kent police did get the contract, it would have no impact on Chatham-Kent taxpayers.
Conn highlighted several benefits to the proposal including consistency.
"We currently deal with the influence of Leamington crime, that deals with property crime, drugs and organized crime," he said. "If we take responsibility of the area and the problems associated with Leamington, then we can effectively deal with the issues of mutual concern in a succinct and coordinated fashion."
Conn also touched upon the fact that the inclusion of Leamington into the operations of Chatham-Kent Police Services could bring an increased risk of civil actions, claims, and the costs related to these matters.
"These matters cannot be predicted year over year and on that basis, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and the Chatham-Kent Police Service use an annual reconciliation process for actual claims and litigation costs each year," explained Conn. "The same process is proposed under this bid. Our proposal includes all employee-related costs to ensure that they are borne by Leamington."
Conn stressed that council was only approving the submission of the request for proposal on Monday night.
If the Chatham-Kent Police Service is successful with its bid, then it will enter into negotiations with the Municipality of Leamington to finalize a contract. According to Conn, the successful proposal should be notified by mid-January.
"If we are successful, then the heavy lifting will really begin," said Conn. "We will enter into negotiations where we are going to go through this with a fine-tooth comb."
Prior to entering into a final agreement with Leamington, Chief Conn will come back to council with final negotiated terms.
Should Chatham-Kent police enter into a successful agreement, additional officers would be hired and the police force size would be expanded.
"We'd put out for new recruits that would have to go through the basic constable training program... In addition and to augment those recruits, we will be seeking direct entry applications from sworn members from other services," he said.
The policing contract with the Municipality of Leamington is a five year contract. The OPP remains under contract with Leamington until May 26, 2021.