Staff Sergeant and Prince Edward OPP Detachment Commander Jeff MacKinnon. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)
Ours is hardly an unknown hinterland to incoming Prince Edward OPP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Jeff MacKinnon.
But things have definitely changed since he patrolled the local roadways as a Provincial Constable.
Mr. MacKinnon is well acquainted with local officers, like Constables Greg Richardson, Ken Campbell, Ray Best, and Mick Chalmers. He recalls the late Bernie Gaw as a progressive voice during his tenure as Detachment Commander. Prince Edward County’s top cop at the time engaged all sectors, kept up a positive public persona in the community and was willing to share his perspective on emerging issues in the constabulary.
The County’s Community Safety and Well Being Plan started with Mr. Gaw. It took shape and matured under the tenure of outgoing Staff Sergeant John Hatch.
One of the first of its kind in rural Ontario, The Community Safety Plan was developed in concert with over 20 local agencies. It offers a strategic, collaborative framework to improve local safety through proactive, long-term solutions rather than reactions.
The plan targets Senior Support, Housing and Homelessness, Mental Health/Problematic Substance Use, Domestic/Sexual/Intimate Partner Violence, and Poverty Reduction, including food security.
And now it falls to Mr. MacKinnon.
— DC Jeff MacKinnon
I’m just excited
to be part of what
(outgoing Staff Sergeant) John Hatch
has already
accomplished.
“John (Hatch) poured his heart and soul into Prince Edward County for the eight years he was here, especially with the CSWBP,” says the new DC.
“The work that’s been put into the plan and the subcommittees, whether it’s poverty, substance abuse, mental health, intimate partner violence, those groups are doing some great work and they continue to do that work.”
“I’m excited to be part of that process and just build on what John has already accomplished.”
There’s been a significant evolution in how policing is delivered in rural communities in Ontario. By and large, the days of rigid and unapproachable police officers are over. Mr. Mackinnon admits there’s a myriad of functions OPP staff deliver that would have been unheard of back when he started at the County detachment in 2000.
“The role of Provincial Constable has evolved more into the compassionate side of policing. We certainly have an enforcement side, and that will always be part of our job. But when we’re dealing with some of those societal issues, whether it’s substance abuse and mental health, we know we have to have a certain level of compassion. We play a role with the stakeholders, agencies and those other community supports. We play a role in that and we are doing it 24-7.”
The OPP and municipal police forces are now fall back, catch-all agencies equipped to respond to rising numbers of mental health calls for service. Officers receive training on best practices in crisis situations. The Communications Centre employs mental health workers to identify and then direct resources to these calls. The OPP also integrates mental health support into its operations, primarily through Mobile Crisis Response Teams and dedicated community mental health officers stationed at various detachments across the province.
“We’re thrust into all kinds of situations and if we’re not compassionate and we don’t have that training and flexibility, it makes the job that much harder,” says the new DC.
“The training we receive now is far more evolved than it used to be. Mental health, substance abuse, unhoused people, it comes back to compassion and flexibility. Our officers recognize that and know compassion towards those folks who are struggling is a big part of their job now.”
Having worked eight years in Prince Edward County, from 2000 to 2008, Mr. MacKinnon knew what he was getting into when he was sent to serve as interim PEC Detachment Commander last spring.
But he also notes significant changes in some areas of Prince Edward.
Development in and around Picton has created more residential settings. The rural parts, however, are still very rural. And it’s busier than ever in the summer time, when the increase in call volume can take constables away from proactive policing duties. Staff Sergeant MacKinnon promises to balance both demands with PEC’s current force.
As he settles into his post, he’s developing a rapport with front-line officers and rediscovering this community, its residents and the quirks that make it unique and special.
He admits his new post is a desired destination. But it’s not without its challenges. Provincial trends indicate Intimate Partner Violence and Drunk Driving are on the rise here as well as across the province. And while instances of motor vehicle crashes are down here, severity is increasing.
“These are areas of concern and the trends and statistics are top of mind right now,” he says.
The work of front line officers combined with commitment to the Community Safety and Wellbing Plan is one way that these trends will start to move downward.
“Communication is a big part of the role of Detachment Commander.
“I have clear expectations, and I set those expectations with the officers. It’s not an easy job and there’s always external pressures,” Mr. MacKinnon notes.
“Acknowledging the work they do, that’s my job. My job is to support them and at the end of the day, everyone’s goal is to make Prince Edward County a safer place.”
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