Cornwall police services board briefs: Suspect pursuits drop in 2022

Article content

The number of suspect pursuits by the Cornwall Police Service declined to reach 10 in 2022.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Cornwall police services board briefs: Suspect pursuits drop in 2022 Back to video

The annual report on fail-to-stop apprehensions was presented to the police services board at its April 6 meeting by Chief Shawna Spowart. The 2022 number is down from 15 in 2021, and lower than the count noted each year from 2018-21. None of them led to any collisions, with eight being terminated by the officers on duty. Officers are trained to terminate a pursuit if any of the ones involved decides to stop, the risk to public safety outweighs the need to identify and/or apprehend a suspect person or vehicle, the identity of the person or vehicle (licence plate) is determined, the vehicle is being operated by a young person, or when continuing would be futile.

The 10 pursuits in 2022 led to two people being arrested, and a total of 14 charges being laid.

Bikes and badges

The police services board supported a request for a $500 donation towards the Bikes and Badges event scheduled for June 3.

This year marks the eighth time Cornwall police has organized the bicycle safety rally, which drew about 75 youth in 2022. Police lead various activities to teach road and cycling safety, and each participant has traditionally received a helmet, bell, and lock for their bicycle. This year’s event is being held with the support of the Optimist Club of Cornwall, Dr. Rachel Navaneelan, Cornwall Transit, and Burn Tucker Lachaine.

Spowart noted it’s one of her favourite events on the calendar because it’s a grassroots program created by officers who just wanted to make a difference.

Grant received

The Cornwall Police Service has received $620,000 from the province to assist with costs related to implementing next-generation 9-1-1 (NG911) equipment and technology.

Spowart shared the news with the police services board, noting the grant came late in the Ontario fiscal year and with requirements it be allocated by March 31.

Telephone/cellphone service providers already faced a March 2022 deadline to ensure their networks could handle NG911’s requirements, such as being able to use text, or a video call, to communicate with emergency services. It also allows those communicators to identify a cellphone caller’s location using the device’s built-in GPS data.

NG911 requires updates and upgrades to equipment in the Cornwall police’s communications/dispatch centre in order to be able to use its full functionality. Cornwall police handles all 9-1-1 calls from within Cornwall, dispatching police and fire as required, and/or passing emergency medical calls onto the provincial ambulance communications centre based in Ottawa. It also holds several contracts within SDG to dispatch their firefighters.