A proposal for policing in Amherstburg is now before a provincial oversight group.
The Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) has confirmed receiving an application for Amherstburg to have its police force absorbed by the Windsor Police Service.
The move was approved by Amherstburg Town Council during a contentious meeting last month.
OCPC spokesperson Silvia Cheng tells BlackburnNewsWindsor.com that the paperwork was received on Tuesday and is under review.
The move calls for the Windsor Police Service to take on the Amherstburg Police Department and begin patrols in the town. All officers would work for the Windsor Police Service, while Amherstburg's chief and deputy chief would take on administrative roles for WPS.
The plan was originally for five years but a provision was added by the town's administration to address cost parity. It is now a 20-year proposal with cost parity projected to begin in year six of the agreement.
The town says the move will improve police service and initially save about $567,000 a year.
The OCPC is an oversight agency whose mission is to ensure all law enforcement agencies in Ontario are operating fairly and with accountability under the Police Services Act. With any proposed change in policing in Ontario, the OCPC has the final say before the municipalities involved can move ahead.
Cheng says a decision is pending on whether to have public consultations. Until then, any public comment should be forwarded to the town of Amherstburg to be made available by the commission.
