Duane Hicks
Fort Frances will be among nine new OPP detachments to be built in the future.
The Ontario government announced last week it would be replacing structures that have reached their useful life.
Insp. Steve Shouldice, detachment commander of the Rainy River District OPP, said there’s been talk of a new building here for several years—and last week’s announcement was welcome news.
The OPP currently leases space in the Civic Centre from the town, utilizing the same facilities first built for the municipal police force.
But times have changed. While the municipal force had 11 people working there on shifts 24 hours a day, it since has become the administrative centre for the entire Rainy River District OPP detachment.
“We have about 30 people working here. The administrative staff is larger,” Insp. Shouldice noted.
“We have a lot more people coming and going—right from Rainy River to Atikokan, officers have to come here.”
In addition to the 15 officers on staff, the local detachment also has regional specialty services housed here, such as a detective-sergeant, a K-9 unit, and five Emergency Response Team members (including a regional supervisor).
Insp. Shouldice said the local detachment needs more space, and must be able to “modernize their service delivery and maintain their high level of adequacy and effectiveness they’re engaged in.”
The OPP also must have a proper facility that meets Occupational Health and Safety requirements, as well as ensures the safety of the public, he added.
For example, the detachment must have adequate cells, interview rooms, and conference rooms, Insp. Shouldice said, noting the situation is “not ideal” right now.
The detachment also could use a bigger parking lot and larger garage facilities to store boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles, as well as stolen vehicles that have been recovered.
To give a better idea of how cramped the three-bay garage is: one wall is where the officers’ lockers are located. So when the cruisers get washed, the car washer has be careful not spray water on the lockers.
The detachment also needs more vault space for recovered property.
“We need a more modern and effective workspace for our employees,” Insp. Shouldice reiterated.
Details, such as where in Fort Frances the new detachment will be located, still have to be determined by Infrastructure Ontario. But Insp. Shouldice noted the move-in date probably would be at least two years away.
Mayor Roy Avis said he was “very pleased” to hear the announcement that Fort Frances was selected for a new detachment.
He noted it not only will mean better working conditions for OPP staff, but is “a good thing” for Fort Frances and the surrounding district.
The OPP detachment here has “outgrown the space” in the town hall, Mayor Avis said.
“It’s good to see that consideration has been given to our community,” he added.
In a press release, the province said the current detachments are at the end of their useful lifespan.
“The new facilities are replacing structures that have exceeded their useful life, and will fully support modern police operations to ensure the safety of our communities and the people who live in them,” said Community Safety and Correctional Services minister David Orazietti.
In addition to Fort Frances, new detachments also will be built in Marathon, Hawkesbury, Huron County, Manitoulin Island, Moosonee, Port Credit, Orillia, and West Parry Sound.
This is the second phase of the OPP modernization project.
Under the first phase, Ontario replaced 18 detachments, regional headquarters, and forensic identification services with 17 new facilities in 16 communities across Ontario, including Kenora, Dryden, and Thunder Bay.
“These modern, up-to-date facilities will enhance the service OPP officers and civilian staff provide to these communities,” OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes said in a press release.
“The new buildings are intended to provide modern, adequately-sized detachments for the current level of policing with flexibility for future expansion if necessary,” he added.
“Investing in modern OPP facilities reflects our government’s commitment to keeping Ontario’s communities safe,” echoed Infrastructure minister Bob Chiarelli.
“This project will provide economic stimulus by creating and supporting jobs across Ontario,” he noted.
Infrastructure Ontario will be responsible for identifying and preparing sites for the planned development, as well as managing the facility design and construction process.
