Perth OPP Introduce Community Mobilization Officer

(PERTH COUNTY, ON) – Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Inspector Rob SCOTT is pleased to announce the introduction of Provincial Constable Bill DEKONING as the Perth County’s first ever Community Mobilization Officer (CMO).

The Perth County OPP sees the need for a CMO as they go forward and continue to integrate their policing as part of the Community Mobilization & Engagement Model. This model emphasizes all community members working with police to make and keep neighbourhoods safer, healthier, more secure, and experiencing less victimization and crime.

The model was launched in 2010 by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. The OPP as an organization began to apply the model in Ontario communities in 2011. In Perth County, this collaborative, safety-minded approach has been integrated in their business practice for a number of years, and the appointment of a CMO will forge an even greater enhancement to the collaborative policing approach.

“Under this model, initiatives are led by the most appropriate agency, which may actually not be the police. Our CMO will work with community partners to support or address the underlying issues that manifest themselves in police calls for service. For example, prolific calls to a specific address as a result of a mental health related issue. Here a mental health strategy, utilizing community agencies will be explored. No one person or agency can do it all. We need to work hand in hand, police and communities, to identify and address the root causes of crime and social disorder. The goal is to provide specialized assistance to those in need, and ensure they are served by the appropriate resources”. Inspector Rob SCOTT

The CMO’s position, as an integral part of the Community Mobilization & Engagement Model will work closely with Perth County OPP’s Youth Resource Officers and will also represent the Perth County OPP at the ”Huron Perth Situation Table”.

P/C Bill DEKONING, with over 20 years of multi-facetted policing experience should be a good fit for the task at hand. His community minded approach to policing made him effective as a Perth County OPP School Resource Officer for many years. Working in local schools, dealing with youth, families and numerous organizations will help him in his new position.

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