The union representing Windsor police officers is advocating for mandatory minimum staffing levels on the front lines following a recent patrol shift that had dropped to what they consider worrying levels.
Over a weekend in October, Windsor Police Association (WPA) president Kent Rice highlighted that there were only 13 front-line officers on duty during a shift, a number he deemed “dangerously low.”
“This situation jeopardizes public safety. It affects response times and the overall safety of the community,” Rice expressed.
Rice is urging police administration and the board to implement mandatory minimums for front-line officers. He emphasized that this occurrence in the previous month was not an isolated incident.
Both the Windsor Police Service and the Windsor Police Services Board did not provide a response to CBC’s request for comments.
During a special council meeting on Monday, police board chair Jo-Anne Gignac remarked that “policing costs are becoming unmanageable.”
Implementing mandatory minimums could result in increased policing costs. This might entail higher overtime expenses or the need to bring in additional officers.
According to the Police Association of Ontario (PAO), there are few formal mandatory policing minimums throughout the province, although president Mark Baxter noted an increasing number of local associations seeking such patrol minimums.
“In police services where the police association advocates for minimum staffing levels, it indicates a lack of confidence in the appropriate deployment of resources by the chief of police,” Baxter explained.
Staffing shortages are a widespread issue in Canada, not unique to Windsor. Rice mentioned that Windsor police, being a relatively young police service, has officers on parental leave, sick leave, or off due to various reasons like job-related injuries, mandatory training, or stress leave.
Moreover, there is a decline in individuals applying to become police officers, adding another layer to what the PAO describes as a staffing crisis.
Lack of Provincial Standards for Police Staffing
There are no provincial minimums or recommended guidelines regarding staffing police departments in various communities, as noted by Baxter.
He cited Chatham-Kent police, which patrol a smaller population but over a vast geographic area, highlighting that staffing suitable for that setting may not be applicable in a more urban environment.
Even the Ministry of the Solicitor General refrains from offering input on police resources.
“Local police services determine the most effective way to deliver policing in their communities,” stated a Ministry of the Solicitor General spokesperson.
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