The North Bay Police Association is keeping a very close eye on the pulse of the Municipal Election. In fact, they have signed up as a third party advertiser for the October 22nd election.
Aaron Northrup, the new North Bay Police Association President, says the association sent out a questionnaire to all the municipal mayoral and council candidates.
“Upon their replies, we have met with most of them, some have not replied to be honest,” stated Northrup Friday afternoon.
“We have made a point to meet with the ones who replied to us and some specifically asked to meet with us and the result of those meetings we will be coming out with a list of candidates that we are encouraging our members, family, friends and eventually the public to support. We will release it publicly.”
Northrup says a big issue for the Police Association is the idea of the Ontario Provincial Police taking over for the local service. Early in 2018, city council shot down the idea of investigating the cost of having OPP take over for the local service. At the time that idea lacked support from members of city council.
See related: OPP costing shot down
Northrup hopes the new council candidates are informed and understand what impact an OPP takeover could potentially have.
“For us it is about the jobs, we have a municipal police service, we have 160 members of our association and about 60 are civilian,” said Northrup.
“Our concern and it happened with the past council is the request for an OPP costing. Not to disparage the OPP but if there was a take over we are looking at most, if not all the civilians losing their employment and officers. Those are your neighbours, your friends and your coaches and that is why we are getting into this to talk to the council candidates, talk to the mayoral candidates, and get their thoughts on municipal policing as opposed to detachment policing.”
Northrup is continuing to meet with candidates today and throughout the weekend. He expects the association to release its police association candidate support list next week.
The municipal election takes place on October 22nd.
