So the Chief of Police is leaving - what next?
Well, Well, the ogre and straw man is going! A much maligned figure who could not really help himself, because he did not enjoy the support of his hirers, Gary Clement has obviously negotiated a deal that he can live with. The Police Service Board will probably save money on it in the long run. For the time being we can assume that Deputy Chief Sweet will assume the position of Chief, if that takes place and he is not confirmed as Chief until the end of Gary Clement's term we can afford to pay him (Clement) off.
That is the short term problem, the long term problem is the proposed changeover to the OPP. Opponents will have an uphill battle fighting the Council's wish to change. The Mayor has long been musing privately that the OPP is a good deal and the Deputy Mayor (aye aye Peter) Brocanier will be on side if only to demonstrate that it is a cheaper option. Firstly the switch to Sweet will demonstrate a change in morale which will translate into less stress leave and overtime costs, secondly the Deputy Chief has credibility that the Chief never had, wait until he starts to talk about the true costs of the OPP proposal, people will listen!
Congratulations to Gary Clement for giving Cobourg a new option in the discussion. Frankly Gary has to be applauded for sticking it out in an almost impossible situation. He was hired by an incompetent PSB and misled to believe that he could achieve the establishment of a Regional Police Force. Who could win against the combined political forces of the Port Hope PSB led by Jeff Lees (A rabid xenophobe) and the undercutting of support by a former OPP office sitting on the Hamilton Twp Council and the silence of the PSB for the idea. The regional force was a non-starter (even though it made the most sense) compounded by useless political advice from the PSB that hired him. Even the hiring process was so screwed up by that PSB we had two Chiefs hired at the same time but that is another story.
This quick resignation gives us a chance to organise in a new and different matter as we no longer have to "sink the ship to get the Captain". Let's get on with the cost comparisons and demand a plebiscite to settle this issue.
That is the short term problem, the long term problem is the proposed changeover to the OPP. Opponents will have an uphill battle fighting the Council's wish to change. The Mayor has long been musing privately that the OPP is a good deal and the Deputy Mayor (aye aye Peter) Brocanier will be on side if only to demonstrate that it is a cheaper option. Firstly the switch to Sweet will demonstrate a change in morale which will translate into less stress leave and overtime costs, secondly the Deputy Chief has credibility that the Chief never had, wait until he starts to talk about the true costs of the OPP proposal, people will listen!
Congratulations to Gary Clement for giving Cobourg a new option in the discussion. Frankly Gary has to be applauded for sticking it out in an almost impossible situation. He was hired by an incompetent PSB and misled to believe that he could achieve the establishment of a Regional Police Force. Who could win against the combined political forces of the Port Hope PSB led by Jeff Lees (A rabid xenophobe) and the undercutting of support by a former OPP office sitting on the Hamilton Twp Council and the silence of the PSB for the idea. The regional force was a non-starter (even though it made the most sense) compounded by useless political advice from the PSB that hired him. Even the hiring process was so screwed up by that PSB we had two Chiefs hired at the same time but that is another story.
This quick resignation gives us a chance to organise in a new and different matter as we no longer have to "sink the ship to get the Captain". Let's get on with the cost comparisons and demand a plebiscite to settle this issue.
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