amherstburg studies policing alternatives after windsor pulls out of contract
forging a regional police force is one of the options a...
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windsor police service cruisers are shown at the amherstburg detachment on tuesday, feb. 25, 2025. the town is looking at alternatives for policing after windsor announced it would end its current contract.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
forging a regional police force is one of the options amherstburg is investigating after learning the city of windsor is killing its 20-year law enforcement contract with the town.
amherstburg council met behind closed doors monday night to discuss next steps after being informed windsor is exiting the contract.
after their in-camera meeting, amherstburg mayor michael prue relayed the next steps during the regular council meeting.
“council met in closed session and we have directed administration to formally advise the city of windsor that the town wishes to have discussions regarding removal of the current contract post-dec. 31, 2028,” prue said during the public meeting.
amherstburg council approved a five-year renewal of its 20-year contract with the windsor police service on jan. 1, 2024.
during an in-camera meeting on dec. 9, windsor city council accepted a recommendation from the windsor police services board to pull out of the contract at the end of the current term.
prue said monday that town council is asking town administration to examine several options.
they include meeting with the town of lasalle to discuss a potential partnership or contract for services; researching the cost of a contract with ontario provincial police; preparing cost estimates for reviving a standalone amherstburg police service; and looking into the possibility of a regional county police service.
the ‘safe internet exchange zone’ at the windsor police service amherstburg detachment is shown on tuesday, feb. 25, 2025.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
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amherstburg disbanded its municipal police service after town council narrowly voted to contract out the service, with then-mayor aldo dicarlo casting the deciding vote.
prue was not on council at the time, but has said he spoke out against the turnover at public meetings.
the windsor police service officially took over policing in amherstburg in january 2019.
the city and town signed a deal to have windsor police provide services to amherstburg for 20 years with a review every five years. the move was expected to save the town about $570,000 a year.
amherstburg council approved the first five-year renewal of the contract in late 2023.
prue confirmed last week that the city of windsor had notified the town it will end the contract. the city has given the town four years notice of the change.
windsor mayor drew dilkens previously told the star that the contract was being ended for financial reasons, but added the city is open to renegotiating.
continuing with the current level of service would require “a different cost structure,” he said.
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