ONTARIO CIVILIAN POLICE COMMISSION
Protocol for Section 6 Amalgamation Hearings
General Principles:
In considering a request to amalgamate police services under Section 6 of the Police Services Act, the Commission addresses the following primary issues:
- Does the proposed amalgamation provide adequate and effective police services that meet the needs of the communities?
- Does the proposed agreement provide for the establishment and composition of a joint police services board?
- Does the proposed agreement provide for the amalgamation of the police services and the appointment or transfer of their members?
- Does the proposed agreement provide for the joint board’s use of the assets and its responsibility for the liabilities associated with the police services?
- Does the proposed amalgamation provide for the budgeting of the cost for the operation of the amalgamated police service?
It should be noted that the Commission does not decide between alternative proposals or assess which method of providing policing services will be most economical, or otherwise preferred. Those decisions rest solely with the local communities through their municipal councils. The Commission will, however, ask questions to assure itself that the local authorities have approached their decision, to request an amalgamation, in a manner that has allowed for public input.
Process for Obtaining Approval:
- Forward to the Commission copies of the resolutions passed by the municipal councils. Attach 3 copies of the relevant materials including:
- A copy of the draft agreement.
- A description of the organization of the amalgamated police service and how it will provide policing in the future.
- An outline of the process followed by the local authorities to obtain public input on the proposal.
- Other materials that may be relevant or useful to the Commission in determining the issues outlined above.
- The Commission will convene a public meeting in the community. Two or three members of the Commission will preside. The meeting will be advertised in the local news media. At this meeting the Commission invites the following parties to make presentations or respond to questions.
- Representatives for each Municipality and Police Services Board - to describe the proposed amalgamation, its anticipated impact on the community, the public consultation process employed to help develop the initiative; and their acceptance of the proposal.
- Chiefs of Police - to describe how policing will be applied under the new organization and respond to any questions from the commission on the effectiveness and adequacy of the proposed amalgamation.
- Police Associations - to confirm that satisfactory arrangements for the appointment and transfer of their members have been made.
- Zone Police Services Advisor, Policing Services Division, Ministry of Public Safety and Security - to discuss adequacy and effectiveness of the proposed amalgamation.
- Members of the public - to address issues related to the adequacy of the proposal.
In addition to the parties listed above, the Commission informs other groups of its plans to hold the public meeting, such as the Police Association of Ontario, the Ontario Senior Officers Police Association, the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ministry of Public Safety and Security and welcomes any relevant submission from those organizations at the meeting.
- Upon receiving the above information, the Commission will issue a written decision. Decisions are typically issued within a month of receiving all the pertinent information.
For further information, contact the Commission at (416) 314-3004.
