Benefits of Maintaining Hybrid Policing Model

Hybrid policing refers to the model of a city using both municipal and OPP policing.

The hybrid policing model in Temiskaming Shores, with municipal police in New Liskeard and OPP in Dymond and Haileybury continues to serve the municipality well.

Temiskaming Shores is not alone in adopting and maintaining his model after amalgamation. The hybrid model is being used successfully in several other communities across the province, including:

• Timmins (Timmins Police Service in the city and OPP in South Porcupine and area)
• Kenora (Kenora Police Service downtown and OPP in Keewatin and Jaffray Melick)
• Kawartha Lakes (Kawartha Lakes Police Service in Lindsay and OPP in rest of Victoria County)
• Peel Region (Peel Regional Police Service in Mississauga and Brampton and OPP in Caledon)

Hybrid policing allows Council to respect and respond to local level of service demands that may vary throughout a municipality.  For instance, as a district service centre with a large influx of workers, students, shoppers and visitors everyday, it allows Temiskaming Shores to maintain a dedicated municipal force in New Liskeard, while using OPP service in Dymond and Haileybury.

Locally, it also ensures that Dymond receives a competitive price for OPP policing because Council could ask for a Temiskaming Shores Police Service costing (quote) to police the area.  Communities with hybrid policing, and communities contracting with OPP but neighbouring a municipal police service, have the most success in limiting OPP contract cost increases since there is always a potential alternative.Without the Temiskaming Shores Police Service, the community would have less competitive policing costs.

Using the hybrid model also postpones the City from having to pay for substantial court security costs.

Under the Municipal Act , the municipality in which the courthouse is located is responsible for the cost of court security.  

While the OPP provides service to Haileybury and court security, Council does not have a contract with the OPP for Haileybury.

If Council goes ahead with disbandment of the Temiskaming Shores Police Service, the province will demand the City contract for all its OPP service, and begin charging for courthouse security.   This alone could cost the City hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

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