Norfolk Police Services Board - Chair Dennis Travale Explains

From the top, the (Ontario) Police Services Act defines the Police Services Boards (PSB). In laymen's terms, to facilitate "effective and efficient policing" in the local community. The PSB's do not advise the OPP how to police; but rather communicates the local community's strategic policing priorities. Of the 5 members of the board, 2 are provincial appointees, 2 are members of Council (one is the Mayor) and a member from the local population appointed by Council - Dennis Travale. Dennis is the current Chair. Thus PSB is not a committee of Council nor reports to it.

PSB focus areas are:

1. Crime prevention; 2. Law enforcement; 3. Assistance to victims of crime; 4. Public order maintenance; and 5. Emergency response.

This is where the task of "effective and efficient" becomes difficult if the only solution would be moving resources from one area to another.

A better solution that has been accomplished by our Norfolk PSB was to facilitate local community policies/programmes that reduced 'waste" of scarce police resources through four projects areas: 1. A new False Alarm Bylaw. The PSB, as an independent body has the authority to issue Bylaws, 2. An active discussion with County staff and subsequently Council to determine which, if any, County Bylaws they want the police to enforce. 3. A new County-wide Community Policing Committee; and 4. A Strategic Plan for policing in Norfolk County.

And, across the news in all municipalities, who are the appropriate resources to be deployed to address areas of community safety and wellness - such as – BUT not limited to:

Mental health;

Health Care;

Homelessness;

Addictions;

Poverty;

Much has been accomplished by our PSB. There is always more to do.