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The Township of Hamilton Police Services Board is a five member Board. The purpose of the Board, on behalf of the residents of the Township of Hamilton, is to provide civilian oversight to the activities of the Ontario Provincial Police

Section 33 (5) of the Police Service Act outlines the composition of the Board. The Board will consist of five (5) members, composed of:

  • Two persons who are members of the Council of the Township of Hamilton
  • One person appointed by agreement of the Council of the Township of Hamilton, who is neither a member of council nor an employee of the Township of Hamilton
  • Two persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. 

Police Service Board Members

Council Representatives (2)

  • Councillor Mark Lovshin
  • Councillor John Davison

Provincial Appointees (2)

  • Dan Besso (Chair)
  • Terry Bender

Citizen Appointee (1)

  • Pat McCourt

 

Roles and Responsibility of the Board

The Board’s role under Section 10(9) of the Police Services Act are as follows:

  • If one or more municipalities enters into an agreement under this section, the board or joint board shall advise the Ontario Provincial Police detachment commander assigned to the municipality or municipalities, or his or her designate, with respect to police services in the municipality or municipalities and shall,
    • (a) participate in the selection of the detachment commander of the detachment assigned to the municipality or municipalities;
    • (b) generally determine objectives and priorities for police services, after consultation with the detachment commander or his or her designate;
    • (c) establish, after consultation with the detachment commander or his or her designate, any local policies with respect to police services (but the board or joint board shall not establish provincial policies of the Ontario Provincial Police with respect to police services);
    • (d) monitor the performance of the detachment commander;
    • (e) receive regular reports from the detachment commander or his or her designate on disclosures and decisions made under section 49 (secondary activities);
    • (f) review the detachment commander’s administration of the complaints system under Part V and receive regular reports from the detachment commander or his or her designate on his or her administration of the complaints system.
Police Service Board Meetings (Agendas, Minutes, Delegations)

Agendas and minutes of the Police Service Board are found on the Council Portal.

 

When delegations desire to be present at meetings to address the Board, such individuals will be permitted to do so at the discretion of the Chair, provided that the matter(s) to be addressed fall within the jurisdiction of the Board. Every attempt will be made to direct the delegation to the appropriate venue.

Operational matters will be directed to the O.P.P. Detachment Commander Delegations appearing before the Board are subject to the following:

  1. The delegation(s) shall provide written notice of their request. This request shall contain an outline of the subject matter of the address and also include a list of person(s) who will be appearing before the Board and a copy of the materials to be presented;
  2. Upon receipt of the written notice requesting a delegation, the Administrative Assistant shall list the delegation(s) on the next appropriate meeting agenda at the discretion of the Chair.
  3. Delegations shall address the Board through one speaker, be restricted to presentations of ten (10) minutes and shall address their remarks to the stated business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the time allotted for any delegation may be extended an additional five (5) minutes at the discretion of the Chair;
  4. Members shall not ask questions until all delegations and the Chief/designate has been heard, either in support of, or in opposition to, the specific matters on the agenda before the Board.
  5. Upon completion of a presentation to the Board, any discussions between Members of the Board and the delegation shall be limited to Members asking questions for clarification and obtaining additional, relevant information only. Members of the Board shall not enter into debate with the delegation respecting

Contact the Police Service Board

To contact the Police Services Board with a complaint or to request a delegation, please email the Board Secretary.

2018-2022 Police Service Board Accomplishments in Township of Hamilton

  1. OPP Enhanced Radar Patrols: Hamilton Township in partnership with the Northumberland OPP increased amount of focused patrols and targeted enforcement of radar patrol in strategic places , in an effort to keep our busy roadways safe.
  2. Maclean’s Magazine ranked Hamilton Township as the 5th safest place to live in the entire country!  They based their decision on police statistics gathered over the previous five years dealing with violent crime.
  3. Donations to help locate Charities: Fishability, Bethlehem Walk, Walk a Mile in her Shoe, Safe Communities Northumberland County, Community Work in Hamilton Township, Northumberland Community Counselling Centre,  Harwood Hall, Gores Landing Hall.  All donations funded from the money's received from accident reports and criminal reference checks.
  4. Northumberland Auxiliary Events and Hours: Public Functions include: Remembrance day ceremonies, Bethlehem Walk, Hundreds of hours of "ride a long" with officers, "Lock it or Loss it" initiative, Participate in SafeGuard program (proves property security assessments).
  5. Invested in Black Cat Solar Speed Sign to assist OPP to monitor speeds on locate highways.

Safe Roadways Radar Enhancement Traffic Initiative - 2022

In 2022, the Police Services Board coordinated a Safe Roadways Radar Enhancement Initiative with the Northumberland OPP. The summary report provides an overview of statistics and outcomes of the initiative.