CBC reports the Town of Amherstburg will not reverse its decision to have the Windsor Police Service take over as the town’s law enforcement starting January 2019.
Category Archives: Accountability
Amherstburg Holds Emergency Meetings In Response To WPS Investigation
Blackburn News reported, Amherstburg’s Police Services Board meets for an emergency meeting Thursday afternoon in response to an investigation into the Windsor Police Service.
The report includes: Mayor Aldo DiCarlo, “I guess the biggest thing that has taken me back is the last minute notice from the OCPC,” says DiCarlo. “That really didn’t give us much more than a day to try and figure out what we do and so, that more than anything has got me a little upset.”
Investigation Into Windsor Police Service and Board
CBC News reported The OCPC started to receive complaints in January and opened an investigation into on May 4. The investigation is being disclosed now ahead of the push for WPS to offer policing services to Amherstburg.
The Windsor Star also reported, The investigation by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission concerns Windsor police hiring and promotional practices including alleged nepotism, allegations of a “poisoned work environment” and allegations of “improper interference in specific legal proceedings,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens confirmed Wednesday.
iheartradio/am800 reported,
The Commission says it decided to conduct an investigation on May 4 into a number of issues, including;
- Whether the promotional processes, particularly to administration rank positions, are fair and transparent and whether the Board exercises appropriate oversight of those processes
- Whether the hiring processes relating to the potential hiring of relatives are fair and transparent
- Whether the board is appropriately informed about administration issues relating to its mandate, including the promotional processes involving candidates for senior administration
- Whether there has been improper interference in specific legal proceedings and whether any such interference has been initiated, encouraged and/or sustained by the current administration of the WPS and/or the board.
- Whether a poisoned work environment has been created, encouraged, and / or sustained by the current administration of WPS in relation to workplace policies and/or accommodation requests
- Whether the WPS has fair and transparent processes to address workplace harassment and human rights complaints
- Whether the board is fulfilling its statutory oversight role in relation to items 5 and 6.
What Is Adequate And Effective Policing?
In the November 14, 2017 RTT article, mentioned in this post regarding an FOI request for the letter referenced by Mayor Aldo DiCarlo, the mayor said he didn’t understand their costing model. According to the article, he said while the town understands it would get “adequate and effective” policing from the OPP, “they won’t tell us exactly what that means.”
Well how are we supposed to know exactly what it means if the Windsor Police proposal requires a Freedom of Information request?
FOI Request For Letter Referenced by Mayor
In addition to the FOI request to Windsor Police, I have submitted an FOI request to the town of Amherstburg for a letter referenced by Mayor Aldo DiCarlo in the RTT.
Mayor DiCarlo was quoted in a November 14, 2017 RTT article, “Instead of getting a costing from the OPP, we got a letter saying they are not going to follow our guidelines.”
In a June 9, 2018 email to Mayor DiCarlo, I requested a copy of the letter he referenced and the council meeting minutes wherein it was presented and discussed.
On June 11, I let the mayor know that I am awaiting his response.
Amherstburg Mayor Responds
Mayor Aldo DiCarlo’s response RE Windsor Police Proposal Requires FOI Application:
“I believe it has been stated publicly already that the Windsor proposal contains operations information that could jeopardize the safety and/or the property of the residents of both Windsor and Amherstburg. It should be noted that Amherstburg police have never released related information as well, for the same reasons.
The entire process, short of the operations information, was public and transparent.”
I disagree on both counts.
Windsor Police Proposal Requires FOI Application
On June 6, in response to a request for the Windsor Police proposal to takeover Amherstburg Police, Town Clerk Paula Parker advised it was not posted publicly as it contained a confidentiality clause and I would have to request it from Windsor Police Services directly. I did.
Today, Windsor Police Privacy Coordinator advised I must make an access request, pursuant to the Municipal Freedom of Information Act, for a copy of the records I am seeking.
So, I apprised all members of council of my requests for the proposal and stated ratepayers were led to believe the entire process would be transparent.
I also asked if anyone would like to explain how being transparent is possible if information is kept from the public?
Any responses, if received, will be posted here.
OCPC To Hold Public Meeting – Amherstburg Policing Proposal
Although the Windsor Police Proposal to take over policing in Amherstburg is not publicly available, the Ontario Civilian Police Commission will hear from the public on June 26, 2018:
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. AND 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Libro Credit Union Centre (Libro Centre)
3295 Meloche Road Amherstburg, ON
To download/access the official Notice of Public Meeting, click here.
To download/access relevant portions of submissions, click Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
Province-Wide Parties Debate on Accessibility and Disability Issues
Accessibility is not exactly a buzz word during any election campaign, but we are all governed by the provincial accessibility legislation and its regulations, as well as the Human Rights Code.
And, if senior is a buzz word during the Amherstburg election campaign, the sector is directly affected by elected officials’ decisions to strengthen a commitment to people with disabilities or not.
The Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) Inc., organizer of Province-Wide Parties Debate on Accessibility and Disability Issues, invite people with disabilities and their allies from across Ontario to ask questions to each party regarding: Accessible/Subsidized/Supportive Housing, Employment, Poverty Reduction Strategies, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Education and other disability issues.
May 16, 2018, from 6 to 8.30 pm Debate Livestream Webcast: https://ryecast.ryerson.ca/72/live/1807.aspx.
Public Meeting Re Windsor Police Takeover in Amherstburg
The Windsor Star reported, “The commission deciding the fate of Amherstburg police wants to meet with residents.”
According to the article, CAO Miceli said, “Public consultation is part of the OCPC’s process,” adding the public meetings are not meant to seek community approval.
The ONTARIO CIVILIAN POLICE COMMISSION (OCPC) is not required to hold a public meeting; in fact it did not hold one in St. Marys, the model often referred to. The OCPC asked the City of St. Marys to provide a written submission setting out the proposed policing arrangement and approved it.
However, OCPC will consult with Amherstburg residents regarding council’s decision to have Windsor Police take over policing in Amherstburg.
the burg watch 