Councillor Mark King remains steadfast in his views on costing the OPP to take over policing in North Bay.
King has faced criticism from North Bay Police Chief Shawn Devine and Mayor Al McDonald recently for his remarks about first, the state of 911 service in the area, and now the notion of at least inquiring what it would take, financially, to replace the local police service with the provincial force.
He says that City Council has a duty to identify the opportunity and act on it if it is the best course of action. Recently, West Nipissing voted to bring in the OPP to police the area.
King says that he sees the OPP as a “major opportunity,” for North Bay. “Without question, in the new year, we’re going to be talking about this [OPP costing] and the facility [the police board’s recommendation for a new headquarters].
King also adds that WSIB claims made through the police service end up on the City’s ledger, putting extra pressure on budgets.
