The civilian body governing the Sarnia Police Service (SPS) wants its own website.
In a recent session, the Sarnia Police Services Board directed police administration to report back on the costs of setting up a web presence for the board -- it was reported during Thursday's board meeting that it would cost less than $1,000.
Board Chair and Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley expressed some of the benefits of the board having its own website.
"There are parts of the Sarnia police website that I find very difficult to access unless you specifically know what you're looking for, and I'm particularly referring to the complaint process, which is probably the thing we hear about most," said Bradley. "Being able to point to it and say 'it's right here on the main page, you have a couple of options -- here's your options,' so the board members aren't getting drawn into those things."
The board was presented with two options from web developer RedChair Thursday: a separate website that could sit on the current SPS platform and which could be linked to the police website, or a dedicated page on the SPS website.
Bradley said the idea is for the board to have its own standalone page the board can directly control.
"I think it's important that it be independent, and also that it doesn't look like the Sarnia Police Service website so that there isn't confusion with the public."
RedChair is also the web developer for the Sarnia Police Service website.
Board Vice Chair Paul Wiersma reiterated Bradley's call to have a website that's independent of the SPS website. Wiersma said the site would provide more opportunity for the public to engage with the board.
"If you go to the SPS website there is a small portion for the board, but it's not evident, I think, to people that we are the civilian oversight for the force, and I think having an independent site would provide greater awareness for the role that we play."
Wiersma said it would also be good for the public to know how they can express compliments or concerns. He said if there are broader concerns that are more focused on the community, the board would be happy to hear them.
"So we've had conversation over the years [about] what constitutes matters that would be considered operational in nature and should likely go to the police force itself, and then those perhaps of, shall we say a more holistic, a broader nature that should go to the board," said Wiersma. "I think sometimes people want to express those compliments and concerns to the board directly."
Wiersma said after receiving a couple of options for informational purposes Thursday morning, the board asked staff to provide them with more information at the next meeting.
"I trust that we'll be looking at a recommendation coming to the next meeting, and hopefully we can have something up and running in the new year."
