There’s more to learn about incoming reforms to policing in Ontario.

That from North Bay Police Chief Shawn Devine after the province announced sweeping changes last week, including the first update to Ontario’s Police Services Act in over 25 years.

He’s welcoming the new approach to community safety and well-being.

“If there is follow through with this legislation, the strategy’s new approach to community safety and well-being requires co-operation, prevention and a locally-based approach, which I think is really good news,” he says.

Municipalities will be mandated to develop plans.

One item police chiefs have been calling for is the ability to suspend officers without pay, but it doesn’t cover everything.

“There’s going to be some guidelines involved with it, and it’s going to have to be investigations or charges of a very serious nature, but I believe it’s a step in the right direction,” Devine says.

He also says they welcome changes involving oversight and training, but wonders how they’ll be funded.

“As far as required training, I’m all for it, the question becomes what is the cost going to be and where is the funding for that going to be coming from,” he says.

Overall, Devine says they’ll have to dig deeper into the reforms to learn more about them.

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