MPP Arnott thanks police officers – in Ontario Legislature
May 9, 2017 – Local Police
Ontario Hansard – 09-May2017
Mr. Ted Arnott: Mr. Speaker, today as we welcome the members of the Ontario Provincial Police Association to Queen’s Park, it seems appropriate that we express our sincere thanks to all in Ontario’s police services who are called to respond to all manner of emergencies, who keep our communities safe, and who enforce our laws.
The county of Wellington is fortunate to have the OPP as our police service. In fact, we were one of the first counties in Ontario to contract with the OPP, and the arrangement has been exemplary over the years. Working with our county’s police service board, county council and staff under a six-year contract, the operating budget for policing is reviewed annually and new projects and programs can be developed and matured.
Under the leadership of Detachment Commander Scott Lawson, we have launched the Integrated Mobile Police and Crisis Team, or IMPACT, in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, to address community mental health needs.
In Halton region, under the leadership of Chief Stephen Tanner, we are also fortunate to have our regional police service. Their collaborative professionalism is eloquently summarized this way: “One Vision, One Mission, One Team.”
Working with our school boards and reaching out to grade school students, the Halton police service has created a program called Building Respect, Attitudes and Values with Others, or B.R.A.V.O. Students are taught to make appropriate decisions and interact with peers, how to avoid substance abuse, combat bullying, Internet safety and other challenges that our children face.
Our area consistently ranks highly as one of the safest parts of the province. This speaks volumes about the strengths and values of the families of Wellington–Halton Hills, but it also underscores the outstanding men and women in our policing services, who do a difficult job with skill, dedication, compassion and valour.
May God bless all of our police officers and always keep them safe.