The new Community Safety & Policing Act (the Act) came into effect on April 1, 2024, changing the nature and composition of Police Service Boards (PSB) by reconstituting them as Detachment Boards corresponding to OPP Detachments.
For the Essex County Detachment, there are now two boards, with the North Board representing the Town of Tecumseh, Town of Essex and the Municipality of Lakeshore, and the South Board representing the Municipality of Leamington, the Town of Kingsville, the Township of Pelee and Caldwell First Nation.
Applications for community representatives are called for the following positions:
- 1 community representative from the Town of Essex for the North Board area
This community representative will serve for a 1-year term beginning on January 1, 2026. The OPP Detachment Board is comprised of a nine-person board, including Council members, community representatives and provincial appointments.
Board members are required to attend 6 board meetings per year. Additional meetings are scheduled on an as needed basis.
Community representatives should have a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of community issues, experience working on a community board or volunteer involvement and be a strategic thinker with proven communication and interpersonal skills. Preferred candidates will have an academic and/or career background in corporate or public governance, law, public policy, social services, mental healthcare, or similar. In accordance with the Act, current or prior officers with the Essex OPP Detachment are not eligible for appointment. Municipal employees/officers and Council members of the municipality are ineligible for appointment.
Community representatives must be a Canadian citizen, 18 years of age or older, committed in sharing the organizational expectations for respectful and inclusive interactions and have sufficient time and energy to prepare for and attend board meetings. Candidates must be willing to complete mandatory training as required by the Ministry of the Solicitor General. The community representative for the Town of Essex must live within the municipality.
Experience on community boards and/or knowledge of governance processes will be considered as important assets. All members shall be compensated for meeting attendance.
Interested individuals are asked to submit an application by November 5th, 2025. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo an interview process prior to being recommended for appointment.
Click here to learn more about the Essex County OPP Detachment Board – North