OPINION PIECE
By Councillor Miriam Mutton
The 2022-2026 term of Cobourg Town Council is my third term as a Municipal Councillor. It is an honour to serve the community as your elected representative.
My other two terms spanned 2006-2014. During that time, there were several studies of police service models for our community.
It is a topic of public interest and varying opinions. And our world and community needs, as well as technology have changed and continue to change, sometimes dramatically. As a member of Council I have a duty to listen and to learn, to make an informed decision. Consideration for potential outcomes and probable results; and ensuring capacity to adapt and progress with change are also important.
On the latest topics of police service models I have aimed to keep informed, including participating in related discussions at Town Council meetings and watching presentations at the County Council.
However, at last Thursday's Special Meeting of Cobourg Council, I did not feel I had sufficient information. In fact, and on my own initiative, I later discovered information relevant to the discussion. I then wondered why all of Council was not provided this publicly available information when the Notice of Motion became an item of discussion at Thursday's Council meeting.
Consider the following, from a publicly available report, part of next week's Cobourg Police Services Board meeting agenda. For the agenda item 2025 Operational Budget Proposal – Risk Mitigation & Regulatory Compliance, the following excerpt:
From page 79 of the Police Services Board meeting agenda for October 15, 2024 https://pub-cobourg.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=43081
Purposeful Collaboration: Establishing a Regional Policing Partnership
In response to increasing demands and financial constraints, focused collaboration discussions are currently underway between the Port Hope Police Service, Kawartha Lakes Police Service, and Peterborough Police Service. These discussions aim to establish a regional partnership designed to reduce costs and eliminate duplication across various specialized policing services, thereby circumventing the need for Section 14 agreements. This regionalization concept is strategically positioned to enhance operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness while maintaining a strong commitment to local service delivery and regulatory compliance.
The proposed regional partnership offers a practical and cost-effective solution to the challenges faced by smaller police services. By collaborating, the Port Hope Police Service, Kawartha
Lakes Police Service, and Peterborough Police Service can achieve significant cost savings, streamline operations, and improve overall service delivery. This collective approach allows for the pooling of resources and expertise, creating a more resilient and capable regional policing framework that is better equipped to meet both operational demands and regulatory requirements.
Furthermore, the regional partnership helps to establish the framework associated with Section 14 agreements. By establishing a self-sufficient regional collaboration, the participating services can retain greater control over their operations and resources, ensuring that these are managed in the most effective and compliant manner possible. This initiative not only addresses the immediate financial and operational challenges but also positions the involved police services to meet their obligations under the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA) more effectively.
Councillor Miriam Mutton
Town of Cobourg