Almaguin Highlands OPP Detachment Board

The responsibilities of the new Almaguin Highlands OPP Detachment Board are set out in the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019.

Responsibilities for detachment boards include:

• Participating in the selection of the Detachment Commander;
• Determining objectives and priorities for police services after consultation with the Detachment Commander;
• Advising the Detachment Commander with respect to policing provided by the Detachment;
• Monitoring the performance of the Detachment Commander;
• Reviewing regular reports from the Detachment Commander regarding policing provided by the Detachment, and
• Providing an annual report to the municipalities regarding the policing provided by the Detachment in their municipalities.

View the Almaguin Highlands OPP Detachment Board Terms of Reference (*forthcoming) for additional information.

The Almaguin Highlands OPP Detachment Board is a seven-member civilian body that is composed of four Municipal Councillors, two Community Representatives, and one Provincial Appointee.

At the inaugural May 8, 2025 meeting, a Chair and Vice Chair was elected for the Board.

Chair: Robert Sutherland

Vice-Chair: Krista Miller

Members:

Provincial Appointee: position not filled

Municipal Representative #1 Armour, Burk’s Falls, Ryerson: Councillor Dan Robertson

Municipal Representative #2 Joly Township, Machar Township, South River: Councillor Neil Scarlett

Municipal Representative #3 Kearney, McMurrich/Monteith, Perry: Councillor Joe Lumley

Municipal Representative #4 Magnetawan, Strong, Sundridge: Councillor Kevin Noaik

Community Representative: Krista Miller, Robert Sutherland

At their inaugural May 8, 2025 Meeting, the Almaguin Highlands OPP Detachment Board determined the meeting schedule for the Board for 2025. A new schedule may be established come 2026.

Meetings are open to the public and are currently held in-person and via Zoom (please contact the Office to acquire the link before 4:30 p.m. on the day of the scheduled meeting) the Township of Perry's Council Chambers, 1695 Emsdale Road, Emsdale, ON. All meetings commence at 5:00 p.m.

2025 Meeting Schedule:

May 8 (Inaugural Meeting)

June 11

September 10

October 8

November 12

Description of the Inspector General and Inspectorate of Policing and How to Make Public Complaints

The Inspector General of Policing is a new policing oversight body under Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA).

The Inspector General is responsible for ensuring policing is delivered adequately and effectively across Ontario and that police board members are complying with the Code of Conduct.

The Inspector General exercises independent compliance oversight focused on ensuring police services, police service boards and board members, and special constable employers are complying with requirements under the CSPA for policing and police governance.

The Inspector General of Policing is supported by the Inspectorate of Policing, a new organization comprised of professionals that are dedicated to driving improved performance in Ontario policing and police governance.

Members of the public can file complaints with the Inspector General concerning adequate and effective police service delivery, or allegations of police board member misconduct through our website: www.iopontario.ca.

Under Ontario’s new Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA), the Inspector General of Policing is responsible for:

• Responding to public complaints, which can be filed at www.iopontario.ca, concerning adequate and effective police service delivery and allegations of police board member misconduct;
• Examining the performance of police services and boards through independent inspections, investigations, monitoring and advising;
• Identifying effective performance and, where improvements are needed, using enforcement tools, including issuing directions and imposing measures to ensure compliance with the CSPA and its regulations;
• Imposing measures to ensure the provision of adequate and effective policing or in cases of a policing emergency;
• Conducting data analysis and research to promote evidence-based actions and improvements; and,
• Publicly reporting on the activities of the Inspector General, including publishing all inspection reports and an annual report.
  

To contact the Almaguin Highlands OPP Detachment Board Chair or its members:

Almaguin Highlands OPP Detachment Board c/o Township of Perry

Attention: Board Secretary

1695 Emsdale Road, Box 70, Emsdale, ON P0A 1J0

Email: beth.morton@townshipofperry.ca

In case of emergency, please dial 9-1-1.

For non-emergencies where an officer is required, call the Provincial Communications Centre [PCC] at 1-888-310-1122, Monday to Sunday, 24 hours toll-free anywhere in Ontario. The TTY phone number is 1-888-310-1133.

To submit a complaint regarding a member's action, agenda item, etc. for the OPP Board, contact the Board Secretary directly or visit the Inspector General of Policing tab above.

Almaguin Highlands OPP Detachment Board Terms of Reference (set for adoption on June 11, 2025)

Almaguin Highlands OPP Detachment Board Abuse Policy (set for adoption on June 11, 2025)

Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019

OPP Detachment Board Code of Conduct (O.Reg 409/23)

Ontario OPP Detachment Boards (O.Reg 135/24)

Information on Provincial Appointee Applications

Almaguin Highlands Community Safety and Well-Being Plan

Almaguin Highlands OPP Action Plan (2023-2025)