Police Association concerned by appointment
Police board appointment made in camera
By Chris Fell Express Staff

The decision to give voting control of the Meaford/Thornbury Police Services Board to The Blue Mountains has generated controversy within the ranks of the Meaford/Thornbury Police Association.

Association President Mike Styles released a statement to the press Tuesday morning outlining the concerns of his membership over the appointment of Thornbury resident Michael Martin to the Board by the council's of Georgian Highlands and The Blue Mountains.

"The Members of the Meaford/Thornbury Police Association are disappointed in the proposed composition of the Meaford/Thornbury Police Services Board," Styles' letter stated.

The decision to appoint Martin was made in camera prior to a regular council meeting on January 15. During the in camera meeting Georgian Highlands council met with The Blue Mountains Mayor Ross Arthur regarding the appointment.

Several observers were shocked when Georgian Highlands council agreed to the re-appointment of Martin because it effectively gave voting control of the board to The Blue Mountains - a municipality that wants to sever ties with the municipal police service in order to move to full time OPP policing. It had been expected that Georgian Highlands would insist on a Meaford representative to be appointed. Both councillor Paul Hutchinson and Deputy Mayor Robert Reid voted against the Martin appointment when the resolution came to council during its open session.

Some have compared the Martin appointment akin to the Canadian government giving the province of Quebec control of the committee negotiating secession in the event of a yes vote in a referendum.

"To have this Service, during a time of important transition, governed by a majority of members who are from a community whose purpose is to leave the service as quickly as possible is a very disconcerting situation," Styles said in the letter. "These are the same members who for two years stated that the Meaford/Thornbury Police Service could not meet the new Provincial Adequacy Standards when they knew or should have known it was a simple process to meet these standards," Styles added.

Because of the Board's insistence that the local police force couldn't meet adequacy regulations Meaford council pursued an amalgamation agreement with Owen Sound City Police which caused much confusion and eventually anger when the Transition Board refused to approve the joint policing marriage.

"It was through the efforts of the members of the Police Service themselves and not the Board, the Consultant who assisted in bringing the Service to compliance with Adequacy was located. It took two short phone calls to locate this consultant," said Styles letter.

In addition Styles urged local residents who want to maintain a municipal police force to voice their objections to this situation.

"Anyone in favour of local policing should have serious concerns about the composition of the Board and should make their views known to the local politicians," he said.