Community organizations voice support for CPS

CORNWALL, Ontario – A wide range of community organizations in the City of Cornwall voiced their support for the Cornwall Police Service (CPS) at a community meeting held at the Benson Centre on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

The meeting was a part of a renewal process for CPS. CPS is currently seeking to renew its accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).

“The accreditation program requires agencies to comply with the gold standards in public safety,” reads a statement from CPS. “The Cornwall Police Service voluntarily participates in this process by complying with 189 standards established by the commission in order to gain accredited status. The standards cover virtually all areas of the police service’s operations, including patrol, investigations, communications, finance, recruiting, personnel and training.”

The Public Information Session at the Benson Centre was a part of the accreditation process to allow for public commentary, as was a two hour call-in opportunity that took place on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

CPS advertised these opportunities on their social media and on their website.

At the public information session, members of the public, the CPS Police Board, and Cornwall City Council attended to give comment and hear feedback about Cornwall’s police service.

Roughly 20 community agencies and representatives were invited to provide commentary on the CPS including the Cornwall Community Hospital, the Cornwall Fire Services, the United Way, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, the Alzheimer’s Society and more.

Shelley Vaillancourt, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Society Cornwall Chapter told a story of how a CPS officer helped an Alzheimer’s patient get home, rather than taking her to the Emergency Room.

“Assisting people with respect and dignity is something that the CPS has helped us do in our community,” she said.

Vaillancourt went on to explain how CPS officers have participated in training to better help members of the community who live with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Danielle MacNeil of Maison Baldwin House, Cornwall’s women’s shelter, testified to the protection and support that CPS provides the clients in their care.

“”We’re very happy to be here and we are very lucky to have a great relationship with the police,” MacNeil said. “Every interaction I have seen between our clients and the police have been very positive and very respectful.”

The site based assessment conducted by CALEA grants accreditation for a period of four years.

“The Cornwall Police Service is proud to take part in the accreditation program,” said Chief of Police, Danny Aikman. “Through this process, we are provided the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to public safety, transparency, professionalism, and accountability by complying with International law enforcement standards.”