Tag Archives: Tim Berthiaume

No Answers Equals No Transparency Or Accountability

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Commentary by Linda Saxon

On February 27, 2018, I requested CAO John Miceli answer three questions for me to post to theburgwatch.

  1. Were any Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services Police Service Advisors involved in the police costing process?
  2. Would you provide me with a copy of Berthiaume’s Completed Form as requested by the OPP?
  3. Would you confirm whether or not Council’s two motions to obtain an OPP costing were rescinded?

On March 1, I emailed Miceli, cc council, that if he was unavailable to respond to my media questions, if he would please forward them to someone who can.

Eight minutes later, Miceli responded:

“All of the questions that you are asking are in relation to an OPP costing process. As you may or may not know the Town did not request an OPP costing instead the Town developed an RFP dictating the minimum level of service requested from proponents. Council approved this method of procurement of services and the OPP was invited to participate in the process. The OPP elected not to respond to the Town’s RFP. All of this was disclosed in public reports. With that being the case I do not believe I can offer you any further information.”

Unsure that there had been any investigation into obtaining the requested documentation, I emailed Miceli back:

“If you review my questions, the first involves Ministry Advisors, as mentioned in the OACP Guidebook you relied on and i’m merely asking if any were involved in the police costing process, in other words, the costing process the town undertook.

i conclude from your response that Berthiaume never did complete the form for the OPP; did he complete an equivalent form for Windsor?

The third question, if you refer to it again, relates to council’s two motions to obtain an OPP costing and whether or not they were rescinded; council’s motions are not part of the OPP costing process, as you well know. “

Amherstburg Police Patrol Zones Changed After Amalgamation

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Commentary by Linda Saxon

Following amalgamation, the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services’ decision regarding the ‘new’ policing proposal was, “From the standpoint of staffing, deployment and supervision, the proposal overall appears sound, and if the proposal is implemented as presented, it should allow for adequate and effective policing in the Town of Amherstburg.”

Three patrol zones were proposed with 24 hour a day policing and a maximum strength per 12 hour shift of six officers: 3 in Zone 1, 1 in each of Zones 2 and 3. Another officer would support all three zones as may be required.

The minimum strength per 12 hour shift was to be one officer per zone with a minimum strength of four officers until 4:00 a.m.

By 2010, as noted on page 8 of the Amherstburg Police Service Annual Report, “The Town is divided into 2 patrol zones ensuring that all areas receive an ongoing police presence.”

In a December 9, 2011 commentary, Amherstburg Police Chief Berthiaume Tight-lipped About Deployment, I asked, how will we know if we’re getting the service that was proposed if there is no accountability?

The question is just as relevant today; the only way to determine the best policing option for our community is to undertake a full comparison and obtain an OPP costing. Council’s decision should not be a subjective one based on speculation or fears, but an objective one based on facts and figures.

Five of the seven essex county municipalities are policed by the OPP as are 324 of the 444 Ontario municipalities; what have we got to lose?

Amherstburg Police Chief Berthiaume Tight-lipped About Deployment

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Commentary by Linda Saxon

it’s time for budget deliberations and wish lists and i was curious about some of the costs associated with the amherstburg police service. in a december 5, 2011 letter from chief tim berthiaume, legal fees, as of december 5, 2011, were $18768.57 for 2011. in a december 9, 2011 letter from chief tim berthiaume, he stated, “the amherstburg police service does not ‘breakdown’ legal expenses.” he further stated that, “as of december 5, the amherstburg police service has spent $23,589.85 on consultants.”

in response to my request for the number of days in 2011 where less than four officers were on patrol, berthiaume stated,”i will not be providing you with this information for the following reason. the release of this information could reasonably be expected to make their work more dangerous in many situations endangering the life or physical safetly of our law enforcement officers.”

where is the logic to a claim of endangerment in the present/future tense when the year has passed?

the ontario civilian commission on police services considered the amalgamation proposal to abolish the amherstburg and anderdon police services and stated, in its decision, “From the standpoint of staffing, deployment and supervision, the proposal overall appears sound, and if the proposal is implemented as presented, it should allow for adequate and effective policing in the Town of Amherstburg.”

one of the proposals for consideration in the application was:

“Patrol Zones:

The Town will be divided into three patrol zones by using the former boundaries of the old Town of Amherstburg, Township of Anderdon and Township of Malden. Accordingly, the new three patrol zones are as follows:

Each zone will be patrolled 24 hours a day. The maximum strength per 12 hour shift will be six officers:

Zone 1: Amherstburg
Zone 2: Anderdon and
Zone 3: Malden

Each zone will be patrolled 24 hours a day. The maximum strength per 12 hour shift will be six officers:

Zone 1: 3 officers;
Zone 2: 1 officer and
Zone 3: 1 officer

Another officer will support all three zones as may be required.

The minimum strength per 12 hour shift will be one officer per zone. However, it should be noted a four officer minimum strength will be in place until 4:00 a.m. (12 hour night shift). On the night shifts, there will be a minimum of four officers (two officers will cover zone 1, one officer in each of zone 2 and zone 3). After 4:00 a.m., there will be one officer in zone 1 supplying additional coverage to all other zones if required.”

NOTE: i noted the map in the community room with two patrol zones; also, the Amherstburg Police Service 2010 Annual Report states, “The Town is divided into 2 patrol zones ensuring that all areas receive an ongoing police presence.” The Patrol Zone map can be viewed on page 8 of the report.

The proposal also outlines a community business plan with three broad initiatives; number 1 was, “establish a police service – with an overall strategy, targets and accountability.”

how will we know if we’re getting the service that was proposed, if there is no accountability?