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West Nipissing Police Chief retires, but agrees to stay on pending possible OPP takeover

Plans, however, had to be on hold when Council opted for an OPP costing.  The organization and the community cannot be without a Chief of Police.
Seguin, Chuck WN Police Chief
West Nipissing Police Chief Chuck Seguin.

West Nipissing Police Chief Chuck Seguin has led that town's police service for eight years and his latest contract ends December 1st.

He's retiring, but a possible move by the town council to bring in the OPP to provide policing has thrown a wrinkle in the succession plan to hire a new chief. The OPP costing is expected by the middle of November.

He wants to retire, but the town can't be left without a chief.

"Over the past two years, I have made it evidently clear to the Board and the members of the Service that this was the case in order to spur on a succession planning process and motivate those who might benefit from my retirement in achieving a higher rank within the organization," Seguin wrote in a news release.

"These plans, however, had to be on hold when Council opted for an OPP costing. The organization and the community cannot be without a Chief of Police.  The Board has a responsibility to appoint the chief of police under the Police Services Act. It goes without saying that the organization and the community require that the leadership be in place and stable."

It would be tough to hire a new qualified chief, knowing that he could soon be out of a job.

"The organization and the community cannot be without a Chief of Police. The Board has a responsibility to appoint the chief of police under the Police Services Act.  It goes without saying that the organization and the community require that the leadership be in place and stable," Seguin explained.

"As a result, and in keeping with the terms of my previous contract, I served notice upon the Board to negotiate a new contract.  Despite some early difficulties, the Board and I were able to come to an agreement that meets everyone’s needs.

"My commitment to the community is to see the organization through some major changes in policing that are about to be announced. Changes to the Police Services Act have been in the works for some five years and that legislation is about to be tabled at Queen’s Park. 

"Marijuana legislation set to take effect in July of 2018 will have an impact on training and policing resources.  Recent work on Human Trafficking has identified that within our own community, there is an active sex trade and individuals are communicating with sex trade workers through various mediums, putting women at risk of exploitation.  These areas are but a few of the emerging issues needing immediate attention at an operational and administrative level that require leadership, decision making, and stability within the organization while we move forward into with whatever transition is required following Council’s decision."

That new contract hasn't come without controversy.

Some members of town council aren't happy that details of the renewal weren't given to them, despite the fact the Police Board is independent of that body. and one councillor, Denise Brisson, was concerned about extra money having to be spent for the Chief's pension and that "raised questions, that in my mind, bring the integrity of Board members and myself into question," said Seguin.

"There will no doubt be those who, for whatever reason, need more detail.  Therefore, in consultation with the Board, I provide you with the following:

  1. Effective September 30th 2017, I have retired and am collecting the pension that I have been paying into for close to 30 years.  By doing so, the taxpayer is no longer obliged to make any contribution to the plan on my behalf, a savings of approximately $20,000 annually.
  2. Effective October 2nd 2017, I entered into an interim contract with the Board to ensure that the leadership of the organization is stable while the issue of the costing is resolved, leading to a transition to either the OPP or a new Chief of Police.  This contract is non-renewable and will expire December 31st 2019. 
  3. The net effect to doing the above removes any issue of pension top up should Council opt for the OPP and should I accept employment with them.  This removes that financial burden from the start up costs required to make the transition to the OPP.  Although I don’t have an estimate of that cost, we are talking about more than 29-years worth of pension contributions, which would be a substantial amount.
  4. Should Council opt for the OPP and I am not offered a position or do not accept a position and find myself with no further employment, the terms regarding severance remain the same as they always were in my previous contract agreements.

"Any inference that the Board would agree to anything that would undermine the costing process is without foundation and in my opinion shameful.  In fact, the reverse is the reality," said the Chief.

See the full news release below.

-----

Let me begin by first stating that it has been an honour to be your Chief of Police since 2009.  At that time, I embarked on a challenge that has been at times difficult but also very rewarding.  The support of the community has always been there and is greatly appreciated.  At that time, it was for a five-year period and I then renewed by contract in 2014 for an additional three years, ending on December 31st 2017. 

I knew then that this would put me in the position of retiring and moving on to other vocational interests should I chose to do so.  Over the past two years, I have made it evidently clear to the Board and the members of the Service that this was the case in order to spur on a succession planning process and motivate those who might benefit from my retirement in achieving a higher rank within the organization.These plans, however, had to be on hold when Council opted for an OPP costing.  These negotiations were conducted in the normal manner and in consultation with our respective lawyers.  As such they are privileged and subject to the normal rules of labour relations discussions.

This agreement is the strict purview of the Board and all legislative aspects in terms of governance have been observed.  That being said, Council engaged in a discussion on October 10th and raised questions that in my mind bring the integrity of Board members and myself into question.

Firstly, Councillors Leo Malette and Jamie Restoule sit on the Board and have, to best of my knowledge, always maintained the interests of the community as their guiding beacon in their deliberations and decision making.  The Chair Barry Bertrand and other board member Celeste Auger-Proulx likewise maintain a high sense of integrity and consider all aspects of an issue in their duties as Board members. 

The agreement reached between the Board and me considers the needs of the organization, the community as well as my own personal needs. Striking a balance in meeting all three is critical and I wish to assure all citizens of the Municipality that this has been done. 

There will no doubt be those who, for whatever reason, need more detail.  Therefore, in consultation with the Board, I provide you with the following:

  1. Effective September 30th 2017, I have retired and am collecting the pension that I have been paying into for close to 30 years.  By doing so, the taxpayer is no longer obliged to make any contribution to the plan on my behalf, a savings of approximately $20,000 annually.
  2. Effective October 2nd 2017, I entered into an interim contract with the Board to ensure that the leadership of the organization is stable while the issue of the costing is resolved, leading to a transition to either the OPP or a new Chief of Police.  This contract is non-renewable and will expire December 31st 2019. 
  3. The net effect to doing the above removes any issue of pension top up should Council opt for the OPP and should I accept employment with them.  This removes that financial burden from the start up costs required to make the transition to the OPP.  Although I don’t have an estimate of that cost, we are talking about more than 29-years worth of pension contributions, which would be a substantial amount.
  4. Should Council opt for the OPP and I am not offered a position or do not accept a position and find myself with no further employment, the terms regarding severance remain the same as they always were in my previous contract agreements.

Any inference that the Board would agree to anything that would undermine the costing process is without foundation and in my opinion shameful.  In fact, the reverse is the reality.

My commitment to the community is to see the organization through some major changes in policing that are about to be announced.  Changes to the Police Services Act have been in the works for some five years and that legislation is about to be tabled at Queen’s Park. 

Marijuana legislation set to take effect in July of 2018 will have an impact on training and policing resources.  Recent work on Human Trafficking has identified that within our own community, there is an active sex trade and individuals are communicating with sex trade workers through various mediums, putting women at risk of exploitation.  These areas are but a few of the emerging issues needing immediate attention at an operational and administrative level that require leadership, decision making, and stability within the organization while we move forward into with whatever transition is required following Council’s decision.

I trust that the community will continue to have a high level of confidence in the Board and senior management as well the respect and support that you display for the men and women of the Police Service.  I believe that we have come a long way over the past eight years and we continue to adapt, overcome and improve on our service delivery.  The recent community consultations held during the business plan preparations were refreshing and affirmed these sentiments.  You have my commitment that we will always strive to meet your needs in the most efficient, economical and effective manner.

Yours truly,

R.C.J. Seguin

Chief of Police         

West Nipissing Police Service


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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