Debate over OPP

For the third time, Haldimand County council delayed a decision on how, if at all, municipal policing will be reviewed.Earlier in the year, Coun. Craig Grice, who represents Caledonia, launched a process to investigate options to replace the county’s Ontario Provincial Police contract which will expire on Sept. 30, 2008. He, Coun. Buck Sloat and Mayor Marie Trainer incorporated a review into policing options in their campaigns.

At Monday’s meeting, council took Coun. Tony Dalimonte’s advice and deferred a decision to examine contracting with another police service or establishing a county police department. He advised his colleagues to reflect on the staff report for a few days and come back on June 25 with written comments. An objective review is essential to prevent an appeal of the decision to the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services, he said.“If you want to go ahead, write what you hope to achieve with this process,” he said. “You better know what you’re doing.”

All but Grice (who was threatened by Fantino) voted to continue the debate on June 25.

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