EZT enhanced OPP officer off the job

By Lee Griffi

Concerns about safety on an East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) roads led one member of council to introduce a notice of motion at last week’s regular meeting.

Deputy mayor Brad Smith said he was contacted by a resident on the 16th Line saying they hadn’t seen the dedicated traffic cop in a long time. He decided to look into the issue, and while the township is investigating it, many questions remain unanswered.

“He said it was so bad that he would not allow his children to walk out to the bus to be picked up. He wouldn't allow them to go out alone. A few days later, I was contacted by another constituent on the 16th and Cassel Sideroad, and he had observed extreme speed through that intersection many times and even vehicles passing each other right at the intersection,” said Smith.

Smith explained speed had become an issue again since the enhanced officer's presence had been absent for several months.

“It seemed to happen near the end or during the Christmas season of 2025. During subsequent conversations with others in the township, including staff, it was noticed that the enhanced officer had not been in their usual places of Huntingford, Cassel, Hickson and Innerkip.”

Smith said he advised constituents to call the non-emergency OPP number and report their concerns.

“I took my own advice and made a call, and I was told that an officer would return my call. I waited for a week and hadn’t heard anything, so I called again,” said Smith, adding he eventually had a fulsome discussion with an officer.

“He informed me at that time that we indeed did not have an enhanced officer, and the OPP were in the process of putting someone in place. When asked how long we had been without this coverage, I was informed it had been quite some time, and that was the only answer I could really get.”

The Gazette reached out to the Oxford OPP detachment for answers and was provide with a written statement from Sgt. Ed Sanchuk.

“Thank you for your questions. The Oxford OPP recognizes the importance of this role within the community and the value of maintaining strong, transparent relationships with our municipal partners.”

He added the OPP remains committed to accountability and transparency in its municipal policing agreements.

“Municipalities with any enhancements or additional service positions under a Section 17(2) Community Safety and Policing Act agreement are billed using actual salaries, wages, overtime and benefits. The total hours of service provided by these positions are reconciled annually, with annual billing statement estimates issued in the fall for the following year, and municipalities invoiced on a monthly basis. In keeping with this framework, East Zorra-Tavistock is billed only for the hours worked in relation to this position and would not be billed for times when the position is vacant.”

Sanchuk added while police understand the interest in staffing processes, operational considerations and internal deployment decisions are not discussed for reasons of officer and public safety.

“That said, we remain focused on ensuring appropriate resources are in place to support traffic safety and broader community needs.”

Smith added he was assured the township was not being invoiced for the role, which comes with a price tag of about $190,000 annually.

“I have no doubt we're not paying for this service, that it's not being rendered, and I take (the officer) at his word. Saying that, I'd like to know exactly how long we have been without this service. This would give us an idea of how important it is to maintain paying the extra for the enhanced officer. It didn't take long for drivers to take advantage of this situation and resume unrestricted driving habits.”

The motion was moved by Coun. Scott Zehr and seconded by Coun. Scott Rudy.

“That staff be directed to prepare a report regarding the enhanced officer, including, if possible, costs from Jan. 1, 2026, to present and the approximate hours that the officer has been on duty in the township in 2026 to present.”

The motion was approved unanimously while staff offered no comment on the situation.

East Zorra-Tavistock is represented on an OPP police oversight board. It is now part of the joint Oxford OPP Detachment Board 2 rather than operating solely through its former standalone police services board.

East Zorra-Tavistock's municipal representative is Coun. Matthew Gillespie who did not speak on the motion. He attended the majority of the former local police services board’s meetings and has not responded to the Gazette’s request for comment.