- The Town of Petawawa

Legislated Responsibilities

Board members are legislatively tasked with three primary responsibilities through the Police Services Act:

1. Soliciting input into and establishing priorities, objectives and policies regarding the provision of police services - specifically to:

Solicit and assess the community’s safety needs;
Identify and define policing service expectations and outcomes with the Detachment Commander;
Ensure that police actions and inactions are consistent with community needs;
Verify that the police’s organizational performance is congruent with legislation;
Articulate in local policy any limitations to mitigate risk and avoid unintended consequences for the effective management of the police force, insofar as they do not conflict with established provincial policies

** It should be noted though that while the Board members communicate objectives for community safety to the Detachment Commander and his/her delegate, the Board does not and will not interfere with the day to day operational activity of the Detachment or the officers and/or other personnel employed there.

2. Assisting with the process and participating in the selection of the OPP detachment commander.

3. Monitoring the performance of both the Detachment Commander and indirectly the police service. - specifically to:

Verify performances of and attainment of outcomes and expectations;
Ensure proven adherence to any limitations identified in policies;
Receive regular reports from the Detachment Commander on disclosures and decisions made under section 49 (secondary activities);
Review the administration of the complaints system under Part V and receive regular reports from the Detachment Commander regarding administration of the complaints system.

Responsibilities of the Board

The Board serves as a connection between the community and the police service.

The safety-related needs of the community of Petawawa help form the basis of the policing priorities and activities which are reflected in the OPP “action plan” created in partnership with the Police Services Board and the Detachment Commander; and further highlighted in an annual "progress report".

Effective communication between the Board and the municipality is key to ensuring that the police service has the necessary infrastructure to deliver services that reflect community need. Through consultation with the municipality the Board is also required to ensure that the policing services being delivered are consistent with the overall goals and priorities of the municipality and complement those of other service providers in achieving community safety and wellbeing.

Other assumed responsibilities:

Acting as a liaison between Council and the O.P.P.
Communicating Board activities to the municipality
Lobbying for legislation changes or provincial policy reviews
Participating in provincial associations and educational training to keep current with both provincial and federal policing issues
Becoming aware of and utilizing local community and provincial resources which could support community safety
Pursuing partnerships with community members and organizations
Participation in public educational forums regarding crime prevention and safe practices