Greg Fletcher of the Saugeen Shores Police Association speaks to council about retaining the Saugeen Shores Police Service. (photo by Jordan MacKinnon) Greg Fletcher of the Saugeen Shores Police Association speaks to council about retaining the Saugeen Shores Police Service. (photo by Jordan MacKinnon)
Midwestern

Saugeen Shores Committed to Municipal Policing

Saugeen Shores council is sticking with policing from the Saugeen Shores Police Service.

Council narrowly defeated a motion that would have seen up to $25,000 spent on a consultant to provide a cost-and-service comparison of similar municipalities with both local and OPP policing.

Councillor Don Matheson put the motion on the floor, but says he's happy to stick with the the local force.

He says his feeling was the report would have confirmed that their municipal police service is the best option for the community, so he has no issues ending the OPP discussion.

Greg Fletcher of the Saugeen Shores Police Association says it's a relief for the officers to have the OPP talk put to rest, and that council supports their work.

"We're proud of the service we provide and this is just a vote of confidence in the service we provide and our chief of police and the direction that we're taking," says Fletcher. "We will, for many years, continue to provide this service."

Fletcher says Saugeen Shores officers are encouraged that council appears to be committed to building a new police building in Port Elgin next year, as council has earmarked $5.2-million, though the 2017 budget has yet to be adopted.

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