REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF NIAGARA
POLICE SERVICES BOARD
PUBLIC AGENDA

Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 9:00 A.m. - 10:00 A.m.

Meeting Held By Electronic Participation Only

ZOOM VIRTUAL MEETING

Due to the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, Niagara Regional Police Headquarters will not be open to the public to attend Board meetings until further notice. To view the live-stream meeting proceedings, please visit https://calendar.niagarapolice.ca/meetings

---

1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT/PECUNIARY INTEREST

3.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

3.1

Minutes of the Public Board Meeting held Thursday, June 24, 2021

• That the Minutes of the Public Board Meeting held Thursday, June 24, 2021 be adopted as circulated.

4.

REPORTS FROM BOARD CHAIR

5.

REPORTS FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE

6.

PRESENTATIONS

7.

CONSENT AGENDA

7.1

Monthly Report -Niagara Regional Police Service - Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic - July 2021

Service report dated July 21, 2021 providing the Board with a detailed update regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Niagara Regional Police Service and the actions taken to the mitigate risks. 

7.2

Quarterly Report - Special Constables - Brock University Campus Security Services - April 1 to June 30, 2021

Report dated July 6, 2021 from Ken Chan, Vice President, Administration, Brock University, providing a quarterly report about complaints, use of force, discipline and arrests associated to officers designated as Special Constables while employed with Brock University Campus Security Services.

7.3

Quarterly Report - NRPS Authorized Strength as at July 1, 2021

Service report dated July 2, 2021 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.

7.4

Annual Report - Community-Based Crime Prevention - January 1 to December 31, 2020

Service report dated June 28, 2021 submitted in accordance to the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 192-2000.

7.5

Annual Report - Homicide and Attempted Homicide Investigations - January 1 to December 31, 2020

Service report dated July 7, 2021 submitted in accordance to the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 231-2000.

7.6

Annual Report - Officer Note Taking - January 1 to December 31, 2020

Service report dated June 22, 2021 submitted in accordance to the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 214-2000.

7.7

Annual Report - Police Uniforms - January 1 to December 31, 2020

Service report dated July 2, 2021 submitted in accordance to the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 259-2003.

7.8

Annual Report - Violence and Harassment Prevention in the Workplace - January 1 to December 31, 2020

Service report dated June 25, 2021 submitted in accordance to the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 332-2013.

7.9

Annual Report - Youth Crime - January 1 to December 31, 2020

Service report dated June 24, 2021 submitted in accordance to the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 236-2000.

7.10

Canadian Association of Police Governance (CAPG) - Summit Sponsorship Acknowledgement

Letter dated July 6, 2021 from Jennifer Malloy, Executive Director, CAPG, acknowledging the Board's support toward the CAPG's Virtual Governance Summits: “Governance 101: A Refresher for Police Boards and Commissions” held on April 27th, and “Policy Development in Police Governance” held on June 30th. 

7.11

Health Canada - Medicinal Cannabis Safety Concerns - Response to PSB-NRPS Inquiry

Email dated June 29, 2021 providing a response from Joanne Garrah, Director General, Licensing and Medical Access Directorate, Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch, Health Canada, to the Board and Service's joint letter dated November 4, 2020 addressed to The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, to request Health Canada address proper regulation of the cannabis industry, specifically with designated medical growers who are operating outside of their medical designations. (A copy of the PSB/NRPS joint letter is attached for reference.)

7.12

Town of Fort Erie - Licensing of Cannabis Operations – Illegal Operations

Letter dated June 22, 2021 from Carol Schofield, Manager, Legislative Services/Clerk, Town of Fort Erie, addressed to The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, to advise of the resolution passed by the Municipal Council of the Town of Fort Erie at its meeting held June 21, 2021 regarding a number of locally identified concerns relating to illegal cannabis grow operations, and to seek resolve by the Federal Government to combat any future illegal cannabis activities.

7.13

RMON - 2022 Budget Planning and Timetable

Letter dated July 6 , 2021 from Ron Tripp, Acting Chief Administrative Officer, RMON, advising of the Budget Review Committee-of-the-Whole recommendations as approved by Regional Council at its meeting held June 24, 2021 relating to the 2022 budget planning and timetable for Niagara's Agencies, Boards and Commissions (ABC's). 

• That the information be received.

8.

NEW BUSINESS

8.1

Capital Project Close Out Report - For the Year 2021

Service report dated July 12, 2021 requesting Board approval to close completed capital projects and return the balance of the funds to their original source.  

• That the Board approve the closure of the completed projects identified in the report and the transfer of funds to the Police Capital Reserve, resulting in a net transfer to the Police Capital Levy of $94,092.25. 

8.2

Capital Budget and 9-Year Capital Forecast - Budget Year 2022

Service report dated July 12, 2021 requesting the Board approve the proposed 2022 Police Service Capital Budget and 9-Year Capital Forecast. (A copy of the NRPS 2022 Budget Presentation is attached to the report.)

• That, subject to approval by Regional Council of the consolidated Capital Budget, the Board approve the following with regards to the 2022 Police Service Capital Budget and Forecast:

  1. That the 2022 Capital Budget of the Niagara Regional Police Service of $3,916,900, as summarized in Appendix 1, be approved;
  2. That financing in the amount of $3,916,900 be initiated upon approval of the 2022 Capital Budget and be allocated to the projects as summarized in Appendix 1. (Financing for the 2022 Capital Budget is from the Police Capital Levy Reserve in the amount of $1,498,900, from the Vehicles and Equipment Reserve Fund in the amount of $2,078,000 and from debenture debt in the amount of $340,000); and 
  3. That the 9-Year Capital Forecast be received as a guideline for the development of future Capital Budgets.

8.3

Purchase Order Issuance to Lightning Equipment Sales Inc.

Service report July 13, 2021 requesting Board approval to issue a purchase order for specialized equipment in the amount of $200,000 to Lightning Equipment Sales Inc., as the sole source supplier for emergency warning lights, sirens and compartment barriers, in accordance with Board By-law 384-2019, Financial Reporting, Control and Procurement.

• That the Board approve the issuance of a $200,000 Purchase Order for Lightning Equipment Sales Inc. for the annual purchase of various special equipment installed in police vehicles.
  
  

8.4

Proposed Amendments to the Administration, Limitations and Guidelines of the Special Fund By-Law

Service report dated July 12, 2021 recommending amendments to the Board’s current Administration, Limitations and Guidelines of the Special Fund By-Law to increase the limit of the Special Operating Account from $75,000 to $90,000 as well as the disbursement limit authorized by the Chief from $5,000 to $10,000 for the same account, and to increase the limit for the General Operating Account from $50,000 to $110,000.

• That the Board's Administration, Limitations and Guidelines of the Special Fund By-Law No. 376-2018 be repealed and replaced with the By-law No. 392-2021 as appended to this report;

  And further, that the Board Chair and Executive Director be authorized to execute the required documentation.

8.5

Special Fund Request - Annual Niagara Golf Marathon

Service report dated June 4, 2021 requesting the Board approve a donation in support of the Niagara Golf Marathon being held August 17, 2021 at the Royal Niagara Golf Club for fundraising and the proceeds being donated to the Niagara Health Foundation, Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold, Pathstone Mental Health and Wellspring Niagara.  (The item was deferred from the June 24, 2021 meeting for further review of the Board's Special Fund policy to ensure the funding request meets the guiding principles of the Board's Special Fund By-law.)

• That the Board authorize a donation in the amount of $250.00 from the Special Fund for a hole sponsorship in support of the Niagara Golf Marathon fundraising initiative.

8.6

Big Red Meats Fundraising Initiative - Constable Dale Racine Educational Bursary 

Service report dated June 28, 2021 advising the Board of the results of the "Big Red Meats" fundraising initiative held in support of the Constable Dale Racine educational bursary in lieu of the Constable Dale Racine Trivia Night, which was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic gathering restrictions and is now tentatively scheduled for January 28, 2022. 

• That the information be received;

  And further, that the Board authorize the Service to continue with fundraising efforts for the Constable Dale Racine educational bursary by returning to the Trivia Night fundraiser tentatively scheduled for January 28, 2022.

9.

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

10.

IN CAMERA REPORTS

10.1

Special Investigations Unit - Case 20-OOD-355 - Incident of December 3-4, 2020

Service report dated June 1, 2021 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.11 of Ontario Regulation 267/10 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 above noted In Camera report be received for public information.

11.

ADJOURNMENT

The Police Services Board will adjourn the public portion of the meeting and reconvene in-camera for consideration of confidential matters pursuant to Section 35(4) of the Police Services Act.