Public Invited to Police Services Board Meeting

(BRAMPTON) - The Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board was recently designated the police services board for the Caledon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. This is the result of changes to the Police Services Act brought about by the passage in June 2001 of Bill 59, M.P.P. David Tilson's private members bill.

Mr. Emil Kolb, Chair, advises that the Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board will be holding a Section 10 meeting in Caledon on March 26, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. He went on to explain that Bill 59 designated the Board as a Section 10 Board, with responsibilities to govern and oversee the activities of the Caledon O.P.P. This responsibility is in addition to the Board's original role as a Section 31 Board for the Peel Regional Police. Among other duties, the Board is now responsible for generally determining the objectives and priorities for local police services in Caledon, establishing local policies, and for reviewing the performance of the detachment commander.

"This is a new area of responsibility for the Peel Police Services Board," says Mr. Kolb, "which is separate and distinct from its duties involving the Peel Regional Police. It is now a legislated task for the Board, and my colleagues and I look forward to working with the O.P.P. and Caledon regional and local officials to discharge our duties as best we can on behalf of all Caledon residents.

Mr. Kolb says an important component of civilian governance of police services is public awareness of the checks and balances in the system. For that reason, the Board decided to hold its upcoming Section 10 meeting in Caledon so as to ensure the public has the opportunity to attend and participate.

The meeting will be held March 26, 2002, at the Caledon Community Complex, Upstairs Room, 6215 Old Church Road, Caledon East (located behind the O.P.P. station), commencing at 7:00 p.m.

As set out in Section 33(7) of the Police Services Act, the Peel Police Services Board is composed of seven members, three of whom are members of Regional Council (the Regional Chair and two Regional Councillors), three who are appointed by the provincial government, and one private citizen who is appointed by Peel Regional Council.

For further information:

Frederick Biro, Executive Director, Peel Police Services Board,
(905) 458-1340