REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF NIAGARA
POLICE SERVICE BOARD
PUBLIC AGENDA

Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 9:30 A.m. - 10:30 A.m.

Niagara Regional Police Service - Headquarters

Community Room 1st Floor, 5700 Valley Way, Niagara Falls

To view the live-stream meeting proceedings, please visit

https://calendar.niagarapolice.ca/meetings 

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT

3.

DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT/PECUNIARY INTEREST

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

4.1

Minutes of the Public Board Meeting held Thursday, September 26, 2024

• That the Minutes of the Public Board Meeting held Thursday, September 26, 2024 be adopted as circulated.

5.

REPORTS FROM BOARD CHAIR

6.

REPORTS FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE

7.

PRESENTATIONS

7.1

NRPS Canine (K9) Unit

The Service will provide a presentation on the NRPS K9 Unit, which supports the front-line uniform patrol and specialty units in general patrol and detection.

• That the presentation be received.

7.2

NRPS Citizen Police Academy

The Service will provide a presentation on its Citizen Police Academy launched by the Niagara Regional Police Service to foster greater understanding and collaboration between law enforcement and the community.

• That the presentation be received. 

8.

CONSENT AGENDA

8.1

Quarterly Report - NRPS Authorized Strength as at October 1, 2024

Service report dated October 2, 2024 providing a summary of the actual versus the authorized strength by rank/salary band of the uniform and civilian complement of the Niagara Regional Police Service.

8.2

Quarterly Report - Overtime Activities Incurred by the NRPS - April 1 to June 30, 2024

Service report dated October 1, 2024 providing the Board with a five-year uniform and civilian quarterly and year-to-date overtime trend analysis for the second quarter of 2024.

8.3

Quarterly Report - Administration of the Public Complaints System - July 1 to September 30, 2024

Service report dated October 7, 2024 submitted in accordance with the quarterly reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 434-2024.

8.4

Quarterly Report - Special Constables - Brock University Campus Safety Services - July 1 to September 30, 2024

Report dated October 1, 2024 from Jennifer Guarasci, Acting Vice President, Administration, Brock University, providing a quarterly report about complaints, use of force, discipline and arrests associated to officers designated as Special Constables and employed with Brock University Campus Safety Services. 

8.5

Annual Report - Crime Analysis - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated October 2, 2024 submitted in accordance with the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 439-2024. 

• That the information be received. 

9.

NEW BUSINESS

9.1

Police Service Board By-law – Administration of the Police Service

Correspondence dated October 11, 2024 from Deb Reid, Executive Director, Niagara Police Service Board, requesting the Board approve and a draft by-law relating to the requirement of the Board to establish a policy for the administration of the police service as required for compliance with the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA), and its Regulations. 

• That the Board adopt the draft by-law as appended to the report, effective October 31, 2024;

  And further, that the Board Chair and Executive Director be authorized to make any supplementary administrative amendments to the by-law, that may be required following any additional clarification of the CSPA and its Regulations that may be received by the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

9.2

Purchasing Card (PCard) Program Review for Years 2022 and 2023

Service report dated October 8, 2024 recommending procedural changes that will improve the effectiveness of the PCard program and address any concerns identified through the Service review that was performed for the years 2022 and 2023, in compliance with Board By-law 412-2024 to verify the financial control framework is effective in ensuring PCard transactions are properly processed, safeguarded, and compliant with relevant policy. 

• That the Niagara Police Service Board support the findings and approve the recommendations to the Service's procurement card (PCard) program as detailed in "Appendix 2" of the report. 

9.3

2025 Budget - Service Partnership Funding Model

Service report dated October 9, 2024 requesting the Board approve the recommended Service Partnership Funding Model to officiate continued funding support from the NRPS operating budget to four partnership agencies; namely, Crime Stoppers, Kristin French Child Advocacy Centre, Niagara Safety Village and Victim Services Niagara.

• That the Niagara Police Service Board:

  1. Authorize the Chief of Police to prepare Memorandum of Understandings and include a clause to adjust the funding for years 2026 and 2027 with an inflationary increase for Crime Stoppers of Niagara (Crime Stoppers), Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre (KFCAC), and Victim Services Niagara (VSN) for a 3-year term effective January 1, 2025; and with Niagara Safety Village for a 2-year term effective January 1, 2025 ;
  2. Approve partnership funding for the 2025 operating budget at $50,000.00 for Crime Stoppers and Niagara Safety Village, $75,000.00 for VSN and $100,000.00 for KFCAC;
  3. Approve partnership funding for the 2026 operating budget at $25,000.00 for Niagara Safety Village, $50,000.00 for Crime Stoppers and $100,000.00 for KFCAC and VSN; and
  4. Approve partnership funding for the 2027 operating budget at $50,000.00 for Crime Stoppers and $112,500.00 for KFCAC and VSN.

9.4

Budget – 2025 Proposed Operating Budget

Service report dated October 22, 2024 providing the 2025 proposed operating budget for the Police Service and the Police Service Board at a total net expenditure budget before indirect allocations of $216,958,546; which in order to provide adequate and effective police services in Niagara Region while maintaining core policing services, represents an inflationary adjustment of 9.0% from the 2024 and includes an additional 0.2% increase for the capital financing strategy and a 5.9% increase for stabilization, service enhancements and growth. (A copy of the NRPS Proposed Operating Budget presentation is included.)

• That the Niagara Police Service Board receive and approve the proposed 2025 Operating Budget for the Niagara Regional Police Service and Board resulting in a Total Net Expenditure Budget before Indirect Allocations of $216,958,546.00;

  And further, that the consolidated budget of the Service and the Board be submitted to Regional Council for approval.

9.5

Special Fund Request - Association of Black Law Enforcers (ABLE) - Scholarship and Awards Gala

Service report dated September 4, 2024 requesting the Board approve a special fund donation for the purchase of a table for police representation at the ABLE Scholarship and Awards Gala being held November 16, 2024. Funds raised at the event will assist with tuition fees of successful candidates pursuing post-secondary education in specific law enforcement related areas of study. (Previous Donation: 2023 - $1,500.)

• That the Niagara Police Service Board approve a donation in the amount of $1,500.00 from the Special Fund for the purchase of a table at the Association of Black Law Enforcers Scholarship (ABLE) and Awards Gala.

9.6

Special Fund Request - Celebrating South Asians in Policing Gala Dinner

Service report dated October 2, 2024 requesting the Board approve a special fund donation for the purchase of a table for police representation at the Celebrating South Asians in Policing Gala Dinner being held on November 15, 2024, which will provide opportunity for members of the Service to strengthen the relationship with South Asian police officers and better serve and build on the positive relationship with Niagara's South Asian community members. (This is a first-time funding request.)

• That the Niagara Police Service Board approve a donation in the amount of $560.00 from the Special Fund for the purchase of a table at the Celebrating South Asians in Policing Gala Dinner event.

9.7

Special Fund Request - Ghanaian-Canadian Law Enforcement Officers' Dinner 

Service report dated October 16, 2024 requesting the Board approve a special fund donation to purchase a table for police representation at the Celebrating Ghanaian-Canadian Law Enforcement Officers dinner event, which will provide opportunity for members of the Service to strengthen the relationship with Ghanaian police officers and better serve and build on the positive relationship with the Ghanaian community in Niagara Region. (This is a first-time funding request.)

• That the Niagara Police Service Board approve a donation in the amount of $500.00 from the Special Fund for the purchase of a table at the Celebrating Ghanaian-Canadian Law Enforcement Officers' Dinner. 

9.8

Special Fund Request - Out of the Cold Program

Service report dated October 3, 2024 requesting the Board approve a special fund donation to the Out of the Cold Dinner Program to help offset the ongoing cost of food and supplies needed to provide hot meals to homeless/vulnerable individuals during the winter months. (Previous donations are as follows: 2014- 2015 - $300; 2016-2018; 2020-2022 - $500; 2023 - $1,500.) 

• That the Niagara Police Service Board approve a donation in the amount of $2,000.00 from the Special Fund to the Out of the Cold Dinner Program.

9.9

Special Fund Request - Niagara Regional Police Pipe Band

Service report dated October 4, 2024 requesting the Board approve a special fund donation to the Niagara Regional Police Pipe Band to assist with off-setting costs to replace dated and unreliable drum equipment and ultimately assist the Band with representing themselves and the Service with a professional and reenergized appearance. (Previous Donations: 2002-2003 - $5,000; 2004-2006 - $6,000; 2008 - $8,000; 2009 - $6,000; 2016 - $1,000; 2020 - $2,500.)

• That the Niagara Police Service Board approve a donation in the amount of $5,000.00 to the Niagara Regional Police Pipe Band to assist with the purchase of drum equipment upgrades.

9.10

Special Fund Request - NRPS Citizen Police Academy

Service report dated September 25, 2024 requesting the Board approve a special fund donation to assist the Service with costs associated with the operations of the NRPS Citizen Police Academy that includes eight, two-hour, weekly information sessions and a graduation event in week nine. (This is a first-time funding request.)

• That the Niagara Police Service Board approve a donation in the amount of $5,000.00 from the Special Fund to the Niagara Regional Police Service in support of its Citizen Police Academy. 

9.11

Special Fund Request - NRPS Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team

Service report dated October 15, 2024 requesting the Board approve a special fund donation to assist with the costs incurred by members of the NRPS Brazilian Jiujitsu Team participating in a roll-a-thon charity event on November 2, 2024 being hosted by the Toronto Police Service to raise funds for SickKids - The Hospital for Sick Children. (Previous Donation: 2023 - $2,000.)

• That the Niagara Police Service Board approve a donation in the amount of $2,000.00 from the Special Fund to the NRPS Brazilian Jiujitsu Team participating in a roll-a-thon charity event.

9.12

Special Fund Request - Auto Theft Prevention Campaign – Faraday Bags

Service report dated September 25, 2024 requesting the Board approve a special fund donation to assist the Service with costs incurred for the continued distribution of faraday bags, from police District front desks across the Niagara Region, to interested residents. (This is a first-time funding request.)

• That the Niagara Police Service Board approve a donation in the amount of $5,000.00 from the Special Fund to the Niagara Regional Police Service in support of its Auto Theft Preventative Campaign and the distribution of Faraday Bags.

10.

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

11.

IN CAMERA REPORTS

11.1

Police Service Board – Draft Operating Budget for 2025

Report dated August 29, 2024 from Deb Reid, Executive Director, Niagara Police Service Board, proposing a 2025 operating budget that ensures the Board's continuation of its statutory police governance and oversight responsibilities.

11.2

Special Investigations Unit - Case Number 23-OFD-434 - Incident of October 23, 2023

Service report dated July 30, 2024 advising that the SIU concluded their investigation in this matter and found no grounds for criminal charges against any police officer, and also advising that in compliance with S.32 of Ontario Regulation 268/10 made under the Police Services Act, the Service completed its review and investigation into this matter and concluded that there are no identified policy/service/officer conduct issues.

• That, in accordance with Board direction, the Board's decision(s) and/or in camera report(s) be made available to the public. 

12.

MOTION FOR CLOSED SESSION

• That the Board move into Closed Session for consideration of confidential matters pursuant to Section 44 of the Community Safety and Policing Act, namely for subject-matter related to potential litigation, human resources matters, information supplied in confidence by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and from vendors for contract awards, as well as legal matters that are subject to solicitor-client privilege.

13.

ADJOURNMENT