North Bay councillor Mark King says he'll introduce a motion in January to see what the costs and benefits would be if local police were replaced by the OPP.
West Nipissing voted to do just that this week.
See: OPP in, local cops out as West Nipissing votes to make a change
King told BayToday that he's had the motion ready for six months and is hoping to get enough support on council to get it passed.
"That's a big maybe," King says, " I don't know what the numbers look like yet, obviously there is some support for it. The timing is probably pretty good right now in the new year to do that considering West Nipissing."
That community did a poll, and 68 per cent wanted a referendum on the question.
King says that makes sense here too.
"It's an important decision and I watched how that split West Nipissing as far as the general public was concerned. It might be one of those first items that gets voted on."
King says the motion is being brought forth solely on the basis of saving money.
"What small to medium sized communities are dealing with right now is a cost crunch and it was inevitable that this was going to take place. This is only the start of a number of those issues. As councillors, we have an obligation to make sure that what we're doing is correct from the taxpayer's standpoint. In my mind, it's a no-brainer."
He believes there are substantial cost reductions available.
"What we're seeing is that policing is almost like Walmart, so it's large, inclusive and has all kinds of cost savings in it because it's so large. I'm not saying that's the best thing, but from a municipality's standpoint if all the municipalities around you are being policed by another organization, there's something wrong."
King also believes there are big changes on the horizon for 911 saying North Bay is "probably 20 years behind the curve" from a technology and service delivery standpoint.
"I actually believe the North Bay Police Service is between a rock and a hard place and cost factors are driving their situation. They can't afford to keep up with the technological changes that are taking place in policing because they're too small and the city won't have the capacity to provide it. That's the sad part of it. It's coming. I firmly believe it's coming."
He won't be getting any support from Mayor Al McDonald, who also sits on the police commission. He told BayToday he doesn't support the motion.
"We are very fortunate to have four police services in our region," he said by email. "They believe in working together and partnering, which our city and citizens see the benefits. We have a safe community thanks to those partnerships. I fully support the women and men of our North Bay Police Service as I do with the other three police services in our region.
"I do not support undermining this partnership with requesting an OPP costing as the long-term savings that some believe are not there, we lose local input in community decisions, input on local budgets and the potential loss of 45 plus good paying jobs in our city. Further, we would be negotiating with the Province on a new police building and not our local citizens or Board.
"We do not need further interference from Southern Ontario on Northern Ontario challenges. That would be moving backwards and would be totally irresponsible if we want to protect our way of life in the north. One just has to look at provincial policies that work in the south but cause great harm in the north."
