On Wednesday Midland residents were given an opportunity to learn more about a decision Midland Councillors will soon be making: whether to stick with the town’s police force, or switch to OPP.

An information meeting was held to show residents how much switching to the OPP would cost.

Midland police is expected to cost the town 4.9 million dollars next year. Switching to OPP would cost more than 6.1 million, but that is being attributed to start-up costs.  Provincial police are projected to be the cheaper option in the following two years, and switching forces would bring an estimated 8 million dollars in savings over the next decade.

The town would start to see the savings by 2021.

“From a cost effective perspective, the OPP model has a lot of opportunities for this community,” says Midland CAO John Skorobohacz.

Mayor Gord Mckay says in addition to savings, the quality of policing is a huge factor for council.
“Let’s talk about quality policing. How many people do you want walking the street? What sort of response time do you want?”

It’s not all dollars and cents for some residents, who would prefer Midland police service.

“We know them,” says one resident at the meeting. “They know every inch of this town.”

Consultants say OPP would provide a higher level of service to the town.

The OPP’s proposal would include at least three officers and a sergeant on-duty 24-7. The OPP would add more front-line officers than Midland police currently employs.

But some residents expressed concern over the service.

“My main concern is the response time with an integrated model,” said one resident on Wednesday.

If Councillors opt to switch to OPP disbanding the Midland Police service is estimated to cost the town more than two million dollars. The new force would use existing Midland Police facilities and would offer employment to existing Midland officers.

Midland’s police chief has chosen not to comment on the process, saying Wednesday’s meeting was meant for residents to get all of the facts.

Council is expected to make a final decision on September 6th.