Amid talk of upcoming budget deliberations and the promotion of several officers, a motion regarding the 50th anniversary of the Greater Sudbury Police Service, formerly known as the Sudbury Regional Police Service, was up for discussion at the Dec, 21 Police Services Board (PSB) meeting.
The meeting was the first held after recent appointments from council. Mayor Paul Lefevbre, who took the position automatically held for the mayor, was not in attendance.
Three other officers were promoted during the meeting. Robert Norman was moved to the rank of inspector, Chris Bown to staff sergeant and Darren Charbonneau to sergeant.
The Police Services Act requires the board approve an annual budget that ensures operational priorities are addressed. The board then discussed the budget as presented by Police Chief Paul Pederson, which will be submitted to city council on Jan. 17. Arrangements were made for board deliberations on Jan. 4 and Jan. 12.
The budget process is part of the GSPS strategic plan reporting, as was an update from Pedersen regarding surveys completed by the members of the service, the community and local business to identify issues and directions for the police service to take.
These surveys were conducted throughout the summer and fall, at the time as focus groups were conducted with “legislatively identified groups,” such as seniors, Indigenous groups, community education leaders, and others.
Surveys from members of the service were very positive, with results showing that members believe that the work they do is important and that they are doing well in serving the
Community, the report states. The report also found GSPS members are largely happy with their work units and feel that the organization has values that are reflected in the members and community.
The results from area residents and businesses were largely the same as in previous surveys, with concerns regarding opioid and other drug issues in Sudbury, police presence, traffic issues,
and responsiveness, the board was told. The community noted improvements in dealing with multicultural and minority groups, and awareness and response to community safety and well-being issues. The concerns of the business community were similar with drug use, police visibility, and traffic issues being top of mind as well.
At the meeting, Pedersen reiterated his belief that for mental health issues and their intersection with drug involvement, police action can be like “trying to tighten a bolt with a hammer.”
With the community surveys complete, the next steps are to engage a consultant to update the police service’s strategic direction using the survey results, and drafting and presenting the new plan.
And as 2023 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Sudbury police service, a planning team is creating events planned throughout the year.
So far, a curling tournament is scheduled for Jan. 28. GSPS representatives will drop the puck at a Greater Sudbury Cubs game on Feb. 2.
One of the highlights of the events, at least for Pederson, he said, will be the March 4 Polar Plunge, a dip in the freezing waters of Ramsey lake in support of the Special Olympics.
April brings the historical fashion show and wine and cheese, as well as the retiree’s town hall, while May 17 will bring the 50th anniversary gala.
The celebration continues into the summer with a June 29 baseball tournament and a July 28 golf tournament. The memorial run and barbecue will take place on Sept. 4, followed by a Halloween video dance on Oct. 28, the members awards on Nov. 8, and a Christmas Party on Dec. 9.
The Police Museum is also selling notecards and a signature calendar to mark the year.
The next meeting of the Police Services Board will be the Jan. 4 and Jan. 12 budget meetings, with the next regular meeting occurring on Jan.18.
Jenny Lamothe is a reporter with Sudbury.com. She covers the diverse communities of Sudbury, especially the vulnerable or marginalized, including the Black, Indigenous, newcomer and Francophone communities, as well as 2SLGBTQ+ and issues of the downtown core.
