Meeting Minutes from March 26, 2008
In attendance were: President Mike Sheehan, John Garton, Steve Halyk, Rama Murthi, Jantine Stam, Norm Narancsik, Erik Tremblay, Wim Duizer, Peter Van Wees, Paul Turner, Rick Kiers, and Pieter Stam.
Guests: Nelson Simard, who was our guest speaker for the evening.
Introduction of our speaker
John Garton introduced our guest speaker. Nelson Simard is Vice Chairperson of the Oxford Community Police Service Board. He was introduced as a former member of our club who wanted to catch up on his golf game.
Nelson had a very informative power point presentation. He started with some facts. Oxford Community Police Service (OCPS) was formed in 1999. It consists of 4 partners: Blandford-Blenheim Township, East Zorra Tavistock, Norwich Township and Woodstock. They service over 50,000 residents. They have 85 sworn police officers, 24 vehicles, 36 civilian support persons, and 24 hour a day patrol. They service 18 seperate fire departments.
He continued on about some programs they are involved with and the different units in OCPS.
If you'd like to check them out on the web its
http://www.oxfordcommunitypolice.on.ca
Emergency Responce Containment Team
This is a nine person unit. They deal with hostage and barricaded situations.
Forensic ID Unit
Critical Incident Stress Counselling Team
Police Chaplain
Honour Guard Volunteer Group - to assist in public events.
Community Service Officers
11 Auxiliary Unit Constables
Racing Against Drugs Program - Explains illegal drugs to 6th graders.
Kids & Cops Program - they partner with Big Brothers & Big Sisters to send kids to camp.
Citizens Police Academy - exposes citizens to the profession and training requirements.
Student Involved Radar - teaches students a science lesson and involves students in the reduction of speeding near their school. Nelson had a personal story to share about this program and how effective it was on him.
Canine Unit - Timber is the name of the German Shepherd that is with OCPS right now. Five years of duty is the average for a police dog.
Next we moved on to a discussion time and the hot topic was the future of OCPS. There has been a lot of discussion by the municipal partners on policing matters including: the capital budget cost of the much needed radio communication system, requests for OPP costing from the three rural partners, and public meetings hosted by the Township of Norwich and Blandford-Blenheim to receive input from the taxpayers on future policing in their respective Township.
Nelson was thanked for coming out and sharing information with us.
We were reminded about the silent auction for the Fish Fry and asked to donate one item. It's time to get selling those tickets! As of today there's 11 days left! This is our biggest fundraiser and we'd like to see everyone out there selling tickets to make this our best Fish Fry yet!
Fines and Happy/Sad Bucks
Nelson had a happy buck for a week spent with his son. I believe Nelson said his son was almost sick of golfing by the time the week was done!
Peter Van Wees was fined because he's going to Spain.
Steve bought a car and paid a happy toonie.
Wim fined for his recent trip to Holland. Those at this table enjoyed his return flight stories about his 3 year old son not wanting to sleep.
Rama paid a happy buck because Frank Cowan had a good year
Nelson won the 50/50 draw and went home with a whopping $2.00.
Next week is elections. Please make an extra effort to be at that meeting as we will be voting for directors for 2008-2009 and our President for 2009-2010.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.