The municipal police force is getting closer to having the most officers in its history.
Today, the Timmins Police Service board approved hiring Justin Miller. The third-class constable has two years of policing experience and is switching to Timmins Police from the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS).
Miller starts in-house training in Timmins on Oct. 16. When he's in the building, it will bring the service's complement up to 85 officers. That is contingent on all of the local recruits at the September intake of Ontario Police College passing the provincial training.
The police force is approved for 96 officers, but the highest it's ever been is 88, said deputy chief Henry Dacosta.
Having a trained officer join the local ranks is nice to have, he said.
"You come over from another organization, you have your Ontario Police College, you have sometimes additional training that you received within another organization. It’s an immediate impact,” he said.
This year, the board has been focused on recruiting — even offering a $30,000 incentive to attract experienced officers — and the province has opened up more training opportunities at OPC.
The board hopes to hit the full complement in spring of next year.
At the Sept. 7 meeting, the police service board also approved new hires in other departments.
Two full-time records clerk and stenos — Michelle St. Louis and Leeann Gauthier — start on Sept. 11. Three new full-time 911 communications operators were also hired. They are Holly McLean, Leanna Moffat and Meagan Izawa. They will start at various times between Sept. 27, 2023, and Jan. 2, 2024.
