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Defunding South Simcoe police 'would mean return to enforcement only'

South Simcoe police already directing funding into community partnerships; 'We think it’s working,' says chief
2020-01-27BWG-InnisPoliceServicesBdMK
South Simcoe Police Chief Andrew Fletcher and Deputy Chief Robin McElary-Downer are shown at a recent police services board meeting in this file photo. Miriam King/BradfordToday

Amid calls to defund police in the wake of George Floyd's murder by officers in Minnesota, members of the Bradford West Gwillimbury-Innisfil Police Services Board were told the concept would be counterproductive locally.

“Police are doing all sorts of work that is more like social work, not law enforcement," including calls regarding overdoses, homelessness, and mental illness, board members were told.

South Simcoe Police Service has been working on models that involve partnerships with community agencies and service providers, including the innovative COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team) program.

Defunding would simply mean less money for the training of officers to respond appropriately, no money for the body cameras that have been suggested, and potentially an end to COAST, local officials say.

“Defunding would mean a return to enforcement only,” it was suggested.

At this week's police services board meeting, additional information was presented on COAST, which has been the subject of a recently published study. The study compared the response of the special South Simcoe police team to outcomes obtained by both the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and York Support Services Network responses.

The authors of the report found that since COAST has been implemented, there has been a decrease in involuntary apprehensions and an increase in the provision of supports.

South Simcoe police have redirected individuals “to the care they should be getting,” said South Simcoe Police Chief Andrew Fletcher, showing “the importance of dealing with people who are dealing with mental health issues” in a way that is proactive rather than reactive.

“The police never asked for this work. It’s been downloaded,” said Fletcher. “The most efficient way is preventative work and that’s what our officers are doing.”

Police services board chair Licinio Miguelo praised the innovation that led to COAST's formation, suggesting that the research proves the effort is worthwhile.

“That really helps justify our work and defend it in the eyes of the public,” Fletcher said in agreement. “We think it’s working.”

A next step will include asking for input from people to see if they feel it is working.

Fletcher noted that the number of calls to COAST has gone up, but there has been a decrease in repeat calls, suggesting people are being put in touch with the long-term supports they need, rather than facing crisis after crisis.

The movement calling for police defunding has also requested the removal of officers from schools.

Fletcher said his officers are not assigned to local high schools on a daily basis, or for policing purposes, but attend the schools with the goal of building relationships with both staff and students.

“It’s not a policing perspective. It’s more a proactive perspective,” the chief said. “It’s about supporting that relationship with the schools.”

South Simcoe police did reach out to both the Simcoe County District School Board and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board regarding the presence of resource officers in the schools and the delivery of programs such as #BTRU, a locally developed online safety, drug and alcohol abuse awareness program.

“We got such a positive response from both directors (of education),” said Fletcher, adding he also received support for school resource officers moving forward.


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Miriam King

About the Author: Miriam King

Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
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