Leamington OPP station. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)Leamington OPP station. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Windsor

Leamington policing under the microscope again

Leamington is reviewing its policing options.

The town is weighing whether to keep its OPP service, go back to a municipal service, or contract police service from another municipality.

Leamington switched to the OPP in 2010 to save money.

A report that went to Leamington council last week stated that re-establishing a municipal police service would be the most difficult to pursue.

"At least two municipalities have examined this possibility in the past few years, but it would require the construction or refurbishment of a building that meets all of the standards for a police facility," said consultant Michael Mitchell. "It would also require significant one-time, start-up expenditures pertaining to capital costs for vehicles, uniforms and equipment."

The report added this option would need substantial administrative effort to create a new organization and recruit the uniformed and civilian members to staff it.

Mitchell added Leamington could go with Windsor, LaSalle, or Chatham-Kent to do its policing work provided they were interested.

"Leamington could contact one or more of the three municipalities and enquire what they would charge to provide contract policing to the town," Mitchell added.

The City of Windsor took over policing in Amherstburg on January 1, 2019 to save the town money.

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