REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF NIAGARA
POLICE SERVICES BOARD
PUBLIC AGENDA

Thursday, March 28, 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, February 22, 2024

• That the Minutes of the Public Board Meeting held Thursday, February 22, 2024 be adopted as circulated. 

5.

REPORTS FROM BOARD CHAIR

6.

REPORTS FROM THE CHIEF OF POLICE

7.

PRESENTATIONS

7.1

Too Critical to Fail Inc.

Mario Vitti, Managing Partner of Too Critical to Fail Inc. will provide a presentation on the effectiveness and benefits of a proven holistic police culture, and the impact on sworn/civilian employees, leadership, organizational performance and mental health.

• That the presentation be received. 

7.2

NRPS Human Trafficking Unit

The Service will provide a presentation on its Human Trafficking Unit which is dedicated to combatting Human Trafficking in Niagara and supporting its victims.  The NRPS works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and local community partners to address the pervasive threat to public safety posed by the incidence of human trafficking. 

• That the presentation be received.

7.3

NRPS Central Fraud Unit

The Service will provide a presentation on its Central Fraud Unit, which was established to manage and investigate financial complaints throughout the Niagara Region. These include financial crimes that involve vulnerable victims, large sums of money, multi-agency frauds, serial fraud occurrences, and frauds involving complex circumstances including identity theft, power of attorney theft/fraud, payment card fraud, fraudulent cheques, counterfeit currency, employee fraud, investment fraud and internet fraud.

• That the presentation be received. 

7.4

NRPS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Unit

The Service will provide a presentation on its Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Unit, comprised of both sworn and civilian members who are committed to ensuring that the Niagara Regional Police Service is providing education on the importance of promoting inclusivity within the police service and throughout the Niagara Region, by offering internal educational opportunities for police members as well as outreach programs/events and crime prevention and community safety initiatives throughout the Niagara Region.

• That the presentation be received.

8.

CONSENT AGENDA

8.1

Ministry of the Solicitor General - PSB Appointment Extension - T. McKendrick

Correspondence dated March 8, 2024 from Jacob Estrela-Robalino, Appointments Officer, Ministry of the Solicitor General, advising that Tara McKendrick has been reappointed to the Niagara Police Services Board for a period of three years, effective April 1, 2024, and providing a copy of Order in Council No. 391/2024, officiating the reappointment.

8.2

Ministry of the Solicitor General - Changes to the Special Constable Appointments Process Under the Police Services Act 

Memorandum dated March 15, 2024 from Ken Weatherill, Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Safety Division, Ministry of the Solicitor General, to all Chiefs of Police and Board Chairs, advising of the changes to the Special Constable Appointments as a result of the transition from the Police Services Act (PSA) to the new legislative and regulatory framework under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA) coming into effect on April 1, 2024.

8.3

Ministry of the Solicitor General - Special Constable Employers under the Community Safety and Policing Act and O. Reg. 396 23

Memorandum dated March 15, 2024 from Ken Weatherill, Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Safety Division, Ministry of the Solicitor General, to all Chiefs of Police and Board Chairs, providing important information about Special Constable Employers and the new application process through which an eligible entity may apply to be an authorized special constable employer under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019.

8.4

2022-2025 Strategic Plan Status Update

Service report dated March 14, 2023 providing a status update on the Service's performance measures and targets identified in the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, specifically a comprehensive and detailed overview on achieved compliance of the Service's goals, objectives, performance metrics, targets and outcomes for the year 2023 (Year 2).

8.5

Short Hills Provincial Park First Nations Deer Harvest - Associated Costs to the NRPS

Service report dated February 15, 2024 advising the Board of the cost to the Service for police oversight at the First Nations Deer Harvest held at Short Hills Provincial Park in St. Catharines during 2023.

8.6

Quarterly Report - Special Fund Activity - October 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated March 4, 2024 submitted in accordance with the quarterly reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 392-2021.

8.7

Quarterly Report - Overtime Activities Incurred by the NRPS - October 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated March 4, 2024 providing the Board with a five-year uniform and civilian quarterly and year-to-date overtime trend analysis.

8.8

Annual Report - Child Abuse and Neglect - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated February 22, 2024 submitted in accordance with the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 219-2000.

8.9

Annual Report - Child Pornography (Internet Child Exploitation) Investigations - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated February 23, 2024 submitted in accordance with the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 333-2013.

8.10

Annual Report - Illegal Gaming - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated February 22, 2024 submitted in accordance with the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 224-2000.

8.11

Annual Report - Marine Unit - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated February 29, 2024 submitted in accordance with the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 227-2000.

8.12

Annual Report - Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated February 29, 2024 submitted in accordance with the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 395-2022.

8.13

Annual Report - Niagara Regional Police Service Tuck Shop - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated February 22, 2024 advising the Board of the net proceeds from the sale of NRPS branded souvenirs and mementos sold through the Niagara Regional Police Service Tuck Shop during 2023.

8.14

Annual Report - Parental/Non-Parental Abductions and Attempts - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated February 28, 2024 submitted in accordance with the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 295-2010.

8.15

Annual Report - Police Action at Labour Disputes - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated February 29, 2024 submitted in accordance with the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 240-2000.

8.16

Annual Report - Sudden Death and Found Human Remains - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated February 27, 2024 submitted in accordance with the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 229-2000.

8.17

Annual Report - Underwater Search and Recovery Unit - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated March 1, 2024 submitted in accordance with the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 273-2005.

8.18

Annual Report - Vehicle Theft - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated February 26, 2024 submitted in accordance with the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 235-2000.

8.19

Annual Report - Witness Protection - January 1 to December 31, 2023

Service report dated February 27, 2024 submitted in accordance with the annual reporting requirements set out in Board By-law 210-2000.

• That the information be received.

9.

NEW BUSINESS

9.1

Inspectorate of Policing Centre of Data Intelligence and Innovation Branch - Data Collection Pilot Project

Service report dated March 14, 2024 requesting the Board approve the Service's participation in a Data Collection Pilot Project developed by the Data Intelligence and Innovation (CDII) Branch of the Inspectorate of Policing (IOP). Involvement in this Pilot will allow the Service to assist the CDII and the IOP in the creation of a data collection method that could be implemented province wide.

• That the Board approve the Service's participation in the Data Collection Pilot Project being offered through the Centre for Data Intelligence and Innovation Branch of the Inspectorate of Policing Centre.

9.2

Police Services Board By-laws - Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019

Correspondence date March 22, 2024 from Deb Reid, Executive Director, Niagara Police Services Board, providing the Board with 34 draft by-laws as required for compliance with the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA), its Regulations, and the Ministry of Solicitor General's Policing Standards Manual. The draft by-laws will come into effect upon implementation of the new CSPA on April 1, 2024.

• That the Board adopt the draft By-laws, effective April 1, 2024, as appended to this report;

  And further, that the Board Chair, Executive Director, and Board Solicitor be authorized to make any supplementary administrative amendments to Board By-laws, 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.

9.3

2024-2025 Diversity Plan Report

Service report dated March 15, 2024 requesting the Board adopt the 2024-2025 Diversity Plan, developed to coincide with the release of the new Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA), that is coming into effect on April 1, 2024, in compliance with Section 37 (1) (e), requiring all police boards to prepare and adopt a diversity plan to ensure that the members of the police service reflect the diversity of the area for which the board has policing responsibility.

• That the Board adopt the 2024-2025 Diversity Plan of the Niagara Regional Police Service in compliance with Section 37 (1) (e) of the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA), as appended to the report. 

9.4

2024 Ontario Police Video Training Alliance (OPVTA) Business Plan

Service report dated February 20, 2024 requesting the Board approve the 2024 OPVTA Business Plan, which reinforces both the NRPS and Board commitment to public safety and organizational excellence through the continuance of developing and distributing police learning materials to over 26,000 police officers representing 68 member agencies. 

• That the Board approve the 2024 Ontario Police Video Training Alliance (OPTVA) Business Plan as outlined in the report. 

9.5

Versaterm Records Management System - Annual Maintenance and Support

Service report dated March 6, 2024 requesting the Board approve costings for the continuation of annual maintenance and support for the Service's Versaterm Public Safety applications.

• That the Board approve payment of Budgetary Support Quote #00003865 in the amount of $663,824.34, including HST, for the Service's Versaterm Public Safety annual maintenance and support.

9.6

Special Fund Request - Ontario Women in Law Enforcement - Awards Gala

Service report dated March 5, 2024 requesting the Board approve a donation at the Silver Sponsorship level in support of the Ontario Women in Law Enforcement Awards Gala being held May 3, 2024, as well the purchase of a table of 10 for police representation at the event. (Previous donations: 2019 - $250; 2023 - $500.)

• That the Board approve a donation in the amount of $2,280.00 from the Special Fund in support of the Ontario Women in Law Enforcement's Awards Gala.

9.7

Special Fund Request - NRPS Men and Women Tug of War Teams

Service report dated March 8, 2024 requesting the Board approve a donation to help offset costs for the Service members participating in the Annual Cross Border Tug of War event being held on May 11, 2024 on the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls.

• That the Board approve a donation in the amount of $1,400.00 from the Special Fund in support of the Niagara Regional Police Service members participating in the Annual Cross Border Tug of War event.

10.

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

11.

IN CAMERA REPORTS

There are no in camera reports.

12.

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.