Peel Board Member Elected Provincial President

(BRAMPTON)– The Government of Ontario has designated an addition of 12 new police officers to the Peel Regional Police from its share of the federal funds dedicated to the hire of 2,500 new police officers across Canada, says Emil Kolb, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board. Mr. Kolb says the Board was advised on Monday of the commitment of funds.

“We are very pleased to have access to the federal funding announced in this year’s budget to hire an additional 12 police officers,” says Mr. Kolb. “While we believe our size and needs would have justified a larger number, we understand there are competing interests and this is a good starting point.”

Mr. Kolb says the Board will work with other policing partners and provincial officials to have the federal funding made sustainable, as currently it is only a five-year program.

Mr. Kolb, who last week announced a comprehensive plan to combat the increase in serious crime in the Region of Peel, says the announcement from the province speaks to the first point of the plan, which is to hire additional police officers.

“Depending on Regional Council’s consideration of the police budget, this announcement should provide us with up to 46 new police officers, an increase of one from our previous projection,” says Mr. Kolb. “It is a good first step, and should allow us to enhance our front line programs over the course of the coming year.”

Mr. Kolb says the remaining four points of the Board’s plan include:

• An operational review to be completed by year’s end to determine if additional police staff can be freed up for front line and crime prevention duties;
• The holding of a Community Summit on Safety and Security in the Region;
• A concerted effort to identify and obtain provincial assistance and funding in areas of concern that extend beyond Regional borders; and
• A concerted effort to identify and obtain federal assistance and funding in areas specific to federal responsibilities

The Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board is the governing body for the Peel Regional Police, the second largest municipal police service in Ontario. It provides police services to the cities of Brampton and Mississauga, and under contract to Pearson International Airport.

For further information: Frederick Biro, Executive Director 905-458-1340.