Belleville Council will not go ahead with a Value for Money Review of Policing.
At Monday’s meeting, councillors voted against a motion asking for such a review to be considered in the 2025 operating budget discussions.
A staff report suggested a review done by an outside consultant could cost between $125,000 and $225,000.
Paul Carr, who requested the staff report earlier this year, said an outside review would have brought value to the city and the police service.
“I’m not for one moment questioning the work that is being done by the frontline officers or their performance. This is a macro-level exercise that’s looking at large dollar figures and how that is being utilized in order to provide policing.”
Carr also noted the review was not and was never intended to be about switching to the services of the Ontario Provincial Police.
“I see our Belleville Police Service out and about, building relationships, a strong presence in our community. And it’s been tough the last several years for our police service and I’m here to support the service and I think they need that right now too instead of this up in the air …”
