Will (
August 29, 2007)
The OPP and the KPS receive the same training at the Ontario Police College, and have the same jurisdiction (the Province of Ontario). The Police Services Act provides that the OPP must give assistance to a municipal force when requested. So why should we be policed by the OPP?
The constables in the OPP are higher paid generally (probably the highest in Canada), they don't enforce by-laws and are not under the direction of a Police Services Board but that of the HQ in Orillia. If we elect to convert to one force OPP, we can never go back to KPS. Also this is the easy way out... just pay the bill and not have to negotiate collective agreements or deal with the everyday running of the force. More expensive but worry free... just pay, pay and pay some more for the same service that KPS would provide at a cheaper rate. |
Randy (
August 29, 2007)
Anything is viable as long as you are prepared to pay for it. Are the citizens and businesses of Kenora and surrounding areas willing to pay more in taxes to keep the present hybrid model? I believe they have made it clear to council that they are not. It's decision time for council...one or the other. Unfortunately the now infamous independent review is so tainted that no one knows what to believe anymore. Good luck council, your going to need it. |
(
August 29, 2007)
I am not comfortable going strictly OPP. My understanding is that if you place a 911 call, it is recieved in Southern Ontario then redirected back to the officers here. That is timely. When you tell the dispatch person "Barsky's Hill", they won't have a clue what you are talking about. We also have such a vast area to cover. Can we afford not to have both forces? Remember, you get what you pay for. |
Tim (
August 29, 2007)
We have seen how KPS doesn't work and how OPP doesn't work, so how could a combination work. The only logical answer is get rid of both and try another option. Isn't it obvious... get rid of both and replace them with Treaty 3 Police. They cover the entire region in question now already. |
Sam (
August 28, 2007)
Does it really matter? From what I've seen there is little concern or effort in enforcing many traffic violations that occur on a regular, daily basis in both jurisdictions. As far as some by-law enforcements, which the KPS are supposed to be enforcing, they seem to have one excuse or another as to why they are unable to do this part of their job. Then we have by-law enforcement officers who supposedly fall into the same category as the KPS officers. Why not pay for yet another study on that! After that let the taxpayer attend meetings and present their concerns about the studies' findings and not listen to them anyways the same way they have done with the downtown revitalization and in particular the soon to be constructed roundabout! |
lk (
August 28, 2007)
Not certain if you are aware, there a new police office by Round Lake. Three police forces surrounding Kenora, Ontario. If cost issues are a factor in deciding who polices Kenora, since all three police forces follow the same laws and enforce the same laws than why not have all three forces provide services where and when needed. All three forces are usually observed to be in the city anyways. |
proud to be served buy the kenora police (
August 27, 2007)
I have been reading the comments here but did you know that the kps is trained at the same place as the OPP and they do have most of the same units in place as the OPP and no matter if we go with the the OPP or KPS the prov is mandated to supply the special units to the city. that's your tax dollars at work already. And no the OPP do not have to take the KPS police officers and there will be no others take on with them. They are not (comparing) oranges to oranges in their costing and yes they might come in lower at first but check out Orillia the price went through the roof after they took over and they was nothing that could be done. I would rather be policed by people from my community than Southern Ontario. |
A Keewatinite (
August 27, 2007)
I have heard unflattering stories about both police forces over the years so I don't think one is any better than the other. My concern is that the City will have no control over costs in the coming years if they go with the OPP. OPP union contracts are negotiated province-wide and are usually based on the Southern Ontario cost of living. As the City is not part of the OPP union negotiation process they have no choice but to pay the bill when it comes in. At least with a municipal force there is negotiation and therefore some form of control over costs. |
Ken G (
August 27, 2007)
No matter what the outcome is, there will always have to be some sort of sharing of services and resources. Lets face it, if KPS were the only police agency in town, they still do not have the forensic expertise and equipment of the OPP. They also do not have the intense training and equipment for bomb disposal, hostage negotiations or armed stand offs.
Our citizens do not have a great deal of confidence in the KPS. We need a force out there that not only gives us the best bang for our buck, but also the one we can relax with. |
Larry (
August 27, 2007)
A hybrid won't work, it doesn't really work now. There is anymosity already between the 2 forces.
No matter which way it goes, it will still be "same old, same old".
The problems with the "homeless", the drunks on the street, the drug trade and "aboriginal issues".
What about a 3 way hybrid with treaty 3 Police also? |
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