Police rename boardroom to honour former chief

Former Greater Sudbury Police Chief Alex McCauley is the first person to be honoured under a new naming policy approved last month by city council.

It allows the force to name rooms at its headquarters to honour people who have made significant contributions to policing. Council granted them an exception to the city's naming policy, which is primarily aimed at renaming buildings or other city facilities, and requires a public process before approval.

The board created a standing committee to recommend people for the honour, and current Chief Paul Pedersen suggested the room where they board meets be named to honour McCauley. Gerry Lougheed Jr., who chairs the police board, said it was the ideal choice.

“We couldn't think of a more appropriate person to have the first naming opportunity,” Lougheed said Thursday, during the police services board's month meeting. “And we would welcome any requests for naming opportunities.”

In his remarks, McCauley said Pedersen “tipped him off” about the honour.
“It floored me,” he said. “I am touched beyond words.”

McCauley said it was a struggle to join the force when he was young because “nobody would hire you in those days if you wore glasses.”

But he persisted and eventually became chief, a post he held from 1994-2002.

Board to meet at Tom Davies Square

It's going to be a lot easier for the public to attend board meetings next year.

Beginning with the first meeting of 2015 – Jan. 14 – the board will meet in room C11 at Tom Davies Square, where several city council committee meetings are held.

Previously, anyone who wanted to attend – including media – had to be escorted into the room, because they were held in police headquarters where security is relatively tight.

The board voted unanimously to approve the location change, and will also allow members of the public to ask questions, provided they are submitted ahead of time and are related to topics set for that meeting.

“Not sure why we never thought of this before,” Lougheed said. “It really does give us an opportunity for more transparency.” The board will pick topics ahead of time -- at least at first -- and questioners will have a time limit, likely about five minutes.

Public response to different topics will give police a chance to gauge what issues Sudburians are passionate about, Pedersen said.

“It helps us do a temperature check.”

New members sworn in

Three constables were officially sworn in Thursday, as were two new board members – Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini and Ward 3 Coun. Gerry Montpellier.

That means the newly elected councillors will be dealing with two tough budgets in 2015: city and police. Mayor Brian Bigger has promised a tax freeze in his first year, without laying off staff or cutting services.

That will be a particular challenge for the $51 million police budget, of which about 90 per cent goes to salaries. Wage increases are mandated by collective agreements, which would have to be offset by cuts in the remaining 10 per cent to achieve the freeze.

Police CAO Sharon Baiden will outline the budget to the board Jan. 14, and Pedersen will present it to city council Feb. 3. Lougheed said a freeze is possible, but ways to achieve it “may not sit well with members of the community.”