OPP seek input into detachment action plan

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Oxford County residents have a chance to provide input into the Oxford County OPP detachment’s action plan.

Set out in three-year periods, the last action plan focused on violent crime, property crime, illegal drugs, traffic safety and co-response solutions for non-police related demands for service. The detachment is now receiving input for the 2026-2029 action plan.

Community service office Matt Foster explained the detachment always had an action plan, but it was completed with the police services board input in the past.

“They’ve changed the community safety and policing act and how they are developed is different,” he said, adding the survey is the new tool to garner input.

Foster explained the police want to know what community members concerns are, and how they perceive what police do.

“That’s why the feedback is important, we’re hearing it straight from the source,” he said. “We’re hearing the concerns straight from members of the public.”

The survey results will be folded into how the detachment members complete their work over the ensuring years.

“It is a guiding philosophy on we approach investigations, enforcement, and community engagement, not a specific operational plan,” Foster explained.

The survey asks citizens to rate various crime types in the order of which they should receive police attention, the best way to promote community safety, to rate community safety and traffic concerns and how police should be more involved in the community.

The survey is available online until Nov. 30 at https://forms.office.com/r/pnz6fN1smq. It takes about five minutes to complete.