OTTAWA POLICE SERVICES BOARD

COMMISSION DE SERVICES POLICIERS D’OTTAWA

 

Working together for a safer community

La sécurité de notre communauté, un travail d’équipe

REPORT

RAPPORT

 

DATE                              24 September 2012

 

TO/DEST.                       Chair and Members of the Ottawa Police Services Board

 

FROM/EXP.                   Executive Director, Ottawa Police Services Board

 

SUBJECT/OBJET        POLICE OFFICERS RECRUITMENT FUND

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

WHEREAS the Ottawa Police Service has received $700,000 in each of the last five years through the Province as part of the Federal Government’s Police Officers Recruitment Fund (PORF) program; and

 

WHEREAS the Ottawa Police Service has contributed $300,000 each year for a total of $1 million to support the funding of 10 officers; and

 

WHEREAS the Federal Government’s commitment to fund PORF will end on March 31, 2013, creating a $700,000 budget pressure for the Ottawa Police Service; and

 

WHEREAS the termination of the PORF program will cause financial difficulties for many police services in Ontario;

 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ottawa Police Services Board write to the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards and the Ontario Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services requesting their assistance in lobbying the Federal Government to fully fund the PORF program on a permanent basis.

 

BACKGROUND

 

At the Police Services Board meeting on July 30, 2012 a discussion arose as a result of a recent announcement by the Provincial Government to permanently fund the Provincial Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy (PAVIS).  PAVIS targets illegal gang, drugs and weapons activities in communities across the province by providing funding to police services to hire additional officers. 

 

During the discussion it was confirmed that the Ottawa Police Service would be facing a financial challenge in 2013 due to the termination of the Federal Government’s Police Officer Recruitment Fund program on March 31, 2013.  The termination of this five-year program will cause a budget pressure for the OPS in the range of $700,000, which affects funding for 10 officers.

 

Board member, Mayor Watson, subsequently suggested preparing a motion to send to the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards (OAPSB) asking for their help in lobbying the Federal Government to follow what the Province has done and make their police funding program permanent.  The hope was expressed that by identifying the issue now, it will provide sufficient lead time for the Government to factor the funding into their budget for next year.

 

Member Jensen, who is President of the OAPSB, noted that discontinuing the program will create a significant financial problem for police services across the province – not just the Ottawa Police Service, and he expressed support for the course of action proposed by Member Watson. 

 

CONSULTATION

 

Not applicable. 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

 

There is no immediate financial impact associated with this report.  As previously identified, the loss of the Federal PORF program will result in a $700,000 financial pressure for the OPS in 2013. 

 

CONCLUSION

 

As the loss of funding provided through the Federal Government’s PORF program will cause a financial burden for police services across the Province, it has been suggested that the Ottawa Police Services Board write to the OAPSB to enlist that organization’s help in lobbying the Federal Government to make the PORF funding permanent.  The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services has advised Chief Bordeleau that it is also pushing for the Federal funding to be made permanent, and hence their support in this lobbying effort is being sought as well. 

 

 

(original signed by)

 

Wendy Fedec

Executive Director