NEWS RELEASE
COUCHICHING OPP DETACHMENT BOARD
*************************
On Thursday, Oct. 3, the newly established Couchiching OPP Detachment Board convened its first meeting.
In March 2019, the Ontario government passed the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA) as part of the Comprehensive Ontario Policy Services Act, 2019. The CSPA came into effect on April 1, 2024 and replaced the Police Services Act, 1990. Under the new legislation, the Couchiching OPP board will have a more clearly defined and expanded role in the community.
“It is an honour to serve as the chair of this highly diverse and knowledgeable group of individuals who have been brought together to serve on the newly formed Couchiching OPP Detachment Board,” states Orillia Coun. Ralph Cipolla.
“Together, we will work with the OPP to bring adequate and effective policing to the catchment areas for the Orillia OPP detachment, which includes the City of Orillia and the townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara, and Severn.”
At its inaugural meeting, the board took several steps to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations, including electing a chair and vice-chair, enrolling in the group insurance policy through the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards, and adopting the board’s abuse policy. Additionally, the board examined the Orillia OPP Detachment Quarter 1 and 2 reports that provide a comprehensive overview of OPP activities and responses from January to April 2024.
Similar to all OPP detachment boards across Ontario, the board will foster accountability and transparency by acting as the intermediary to the OPP and to the community, making evidence-based decisions and following best practices. The roles and responsibilities of OPP detachment boards are set out under Section 68(1) of the CSPA:
- Participating in the selection of the detachment commander;
- Determining objectives and priorities for police services after consultation with the detachment commander;
- Advising the detachment commander with respect to policing provided by the detachment;
- Monitoring the performance of the detachment commander;
- Reviewing regular reports from the detachment commander regarding policing provided by the detachment; and
- Providing an annual report to the municipalities regarding the policing provided by the detachment in their municipalities.
The board includes elected and community members from the City of Orillia and the townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara, and Severn, as well as two provincial appointees. The members include:
- Chair — Coun. Ralph Cipolla (City of Orillia elected representative)
- Angie Harwood (City of Orillia community representative)
- Judith Cox (Township of Severn elected representative)
- David Snutch (Township of Ramara elected representative)
- Ian Brown (Township of Ramara community representative)
- Robert Young (Township of Oro-Medonte elected representative)
- Vice-chair — Cathy Clark (Township of Oro-Medonte community representative)
The public is encouraged to attend the Couchiching OPP Detachment Board meetings, which take place a minimum of four times per year. For more information, including meeting locations and dates and access to agendas and minutes, please visit www.ramara.ca/OPP.
*************************
