Police won't speed up volunteer background checks
Posted Mar 5, 2010 By John Nelson
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Tweet ThisEMC News The OPP came under fire for delays in processing criminal background checks for event volunteers during North Dundas Township council's meeting on Feb. 16, but representatives of the Winchester detachment made no apologies for a policy they say protects society's most vulnerable.
"We're trying to protect the kids," Const. Brent Mattice told council. "We want to make sure we're doing it right and that's not going to change.
Deputy Reeve Estella Rose had expressed her dissatisfaction with the process, telling a story of one North Dundas resident who tried to have a background check performed seven times. The process in its entirety takes at least 10 days.
Ms. Rose noted that volunteers often do not have 10 days between the time an event is announced and held. She said this could be discouraging for would-be volunteers.
"We get shut down by the police," she said.
Const. Mattice explained that the OPP provides background checks for 74 volunteer groups in Dundas County and receives 12,000 requests a year.
"Everybody who comes in wants it right now," he said. "We do try our best but there are times we can't make people happy."
He added that only one person in the Winchester detachment conducts background checks. He said this was to maintain consistency in the process, ensuring that each check in conducted in the same manner.
North Dundas chief administrative officer Howard Smith came to the defense of the police, noting that the process is longer when children are involvedas opposed to background checks conducted on behalf of employersand pointed out that the individual in question did eventually have the background check completed in time to volunteer for the event.
"In the end, they didn't do too badly," he said.
Const. Mattice added that background checks were risky business for police as well and they had to ensure they were done properly.
"This is a high liability issue for us," he said. "We have to protect ourselves."
More police presence
Earlier, Const. Mattice reported some success in reducing the carnage on local roadways.
He reported that in 2009 there were four fatal vehicle collisions in the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry detachment's patrol area. That, said Const. Mattice, was down from 14 in 2008.
"Part of it's a visibility issue," he said, explaining that police were out on the roads a lot more. "It's paying dividends."
Meanwhile, Const. Mattice introduced the detachment's acting inspector who replaces Insp. Dave Springer. Acting Inspector Steve Waite arrived Jan. 4 after Insp. Springer was seconded to the eastern regional headquarters. Acting Inspector Waite said he was enjoying his time in the area.
"I'm happy to be here," he told council. "We've got a good bunch of men and women."
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