The Municipality of Brockton may give consideration to a study on policing in Bruce County.
Brockton's contract with the OPP expires in June, so some discussion Monday centred on preparations for negotiations, which will get underway shortly.
Councillor Chris Oberle's motion to consider cost proposals from a neighbouring municipal police force was defeated, however, some of his fellow members of council indicated they would support looking into county-wide policing.
Oberle said he plans to bring forth a motion at Brockton's next council meeting to instruct county staff to closely examine a county-wide police force.
However, the discussion around policing did not have unanimous support.
Mayor Chris Peabody said Brockton's current Ontario Provincial Police coverage is quite good.
"We've got a good rate, $420 per household, one of the cheaper rates around, compared to West Grey, Owen Sound, Hanover and Saugeen Shores," he said. "We are sharing police services with Arran-Elderslie, South Bruce, Huron-Kinloss and Kincardine, so it is a shared police force. We do share an inspector, so it's an economy of scale."
First-term councillor James Lang said he is approaching the contract negotiations with an eye towards improving Brockton's current coverage.
"I think right now, [with] the contract renewal in June, I think we have an opportunity to build a relationship with (OPP) and work through a new contract positively," said Lang.
Brockton's next council meeting is March 4.
