West Nipissing considering switching from municipal to provincial police

West Nipissing is looking into possibly switching from municipal to provincial police.

Last week, the municipalitywas presented with a cost analysis and a list of benefits if itdecides to gowith the OPP.

Residents had a chance to hear those details and ask questions at a public forum Wednesday night in Sturgeon Falls.

"It's a critical issue and the process does involve people. Elected officials should be receptive to what people say," saysMayor Joanne Savage.

She says the policingissue has been very divisive around the West Nipissing community. Savage says she hopes residents take the time to lookat the costing documents posted online and educate themselves on the details.

"I know that people are immediatelylooking at the numbers, other people are looking at it's not just a number exercise. People are sort of confused as well, why this process is coming back at the table."

This is the third time the municipality has looked at the policecosting issue.

Ten year timeline shows savings byyear four

The OPP costing documentsshows a projected financial forecast over a ten year timeline, withsavings beginning start in year fourof the provincial model.

"However, we also have to look at the investment that's required by the municipality," Savage says, adding the return on the investment by the municipality is earmarked for 2025.

If the municipality switches over to the provincial police, Savage saysany officer with the current municipal force would have to go through the OPP screening process first, before securing a job with the OPP.

Municipalcouncillorswill discuss the issue at their meeting on Dec.5. Right now, the final vote isscheduled for that date too, but Savage thinksthat could be pushed back.

"Around the table some elected officials do want to make that decision on Dec.5th. It's a lot of information that has been received. And there were discussions on the actual timeline that was being proposed as being...you know, some individuals do feel that it's rushed."