Toronto Police Service

Helicopter Pilot Project - Trust Account

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee recommends the adoption of the report dated April 19, 1999, from the Chairman, Toronto Police Services Board.

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Chairman of the Toronto Police Services Board to ensure that the appropriate staff advise all contributors to the Helicopter Pilot Project Trust Account of the use of donations to the Project.

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee submits the following report (April 19, 1999) from the Chairman, Toronto Police Services Board:

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the Emergency and Protective Services Committee approve the establishment of a City of Toronto Trust Account on behalf of the Toronto Police Services Board; and

(2)the Emergency and Protective Services Committee forward this report to Toronto City Council for approval.

Council Reference/Background History:

At its meeting on March 26, 1999, the Toronto Police Services Board was in receipt of the following report dated March 10, 1999, from Mr. David J. Boothby, Chief of Police.

Subject:

Toronto Police Service Helicopter Pilot Project - Trust Account and Application for the Front-Line Policing Crime Prevention Grant.

Recommendations:

(i)That the Board approve an amendment to Board Minute No. 308/98 to include contributions from private citizens.

(ii)That the Board forward a copy of this report to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee for Council approval to establish a Trust Account to administer contributions.

(iii)That the Board authorize the Chairman of the Toronto Police Services Board to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services, on behalf of the Police Services Board, for the Front-line Policing Crime Prevention Grant.

(iv)That the Chairman be authorized to execute any and all necessary applications and agreements on behalf of the Board.

(v)That the Board authorize the Director, Finance and Administration to accept, in the interim, all contributions for the pilot project.

Background:

The Board at its meeting of July 16, 1998 (Board Minute No. 308/98 refers) approved, in principle, the establishment of an Air Service but requested, as an alternative to the full Air Service program, the establishment of a pilot project utilizing one or two helicopters. In addition, the Board also approved the establishment of a committee to review the business case submitted, and to explore innovative opportunities for joint corporate sponsorship.

With direction from the Board, a copy of the Chief's report and the Police Service Board's recommendations were forwarded to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee. The Emergency and Protective Services Committee, at its meeting of September 11, 1998, recommended that the helicopter program be approved as a pilot project funded through corporate sponsorship. The report was then forwarded by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee to the Budget Committee and received approval at its meeting of September23, 1998.

In addition to corporate sponsorship, it would be desirable to reflect the partnership with our communities by permitting private citizens to contribute financially to this pilot project. Therefore, it is recommended that the Board approve contributions from private citizens.

The Toronto Police has prepared an application to the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services for a Front-line Policing Crime Prevention Grant in support of the Toronto Police Air Service pilot project. The Province's grant of $250,000.00, combined with contributions from the corporate/private citizens, meet our objective for this important public safety initiative which promotes partnerships between government, the private sector, taxpayers and police. It is therefore recommended that the Board authorize the Chairman of the Police Services Board, to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services, and that the Chairman be authorized to execute any and all necessary applications and agreements on behalf of the Board.

Mr. Frank Chen, Director, Finance and Administration and his staff met with Ms. Wanda Liczyk, the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and her staff to discuss this matter. It was agreed that the establishment of a Trust Account on behalf of the Service would be the most appropriate means of administering these contributions. The Finance Department staff has advised us that City Council's approval is required to establish this Trust Account. Therefore, it is recommended that the Board forward this request to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee for Council's approval to establish a Trust Account.

As this process may take some time, it is further recommended that the Board authorize the Director, Finance and Administration to accept, in the interim, all contributions for the pilot project.

Deputy Chief Steve Reesor, Operational Support Command (8-8001) and Mr. Frank Chen, Director, Finance and Administration (8-7877) will be in attendance at the Board meeting to answer any questions.

Conclusions:

Deputy Chief Steve Reesor, Operational Support Command, was in attendance and discussed this report with the Board.

The Board approved the foregoing with the following amendment:

That Recommendation No. (1) be amended to include "and corporations" so that is shall now read as follows:

"That the Board approve an amendment to Board Minute No. 308/98 to include contributions from private citizens and corporations."

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Steven Reesor,

Deputy Chief of Police, Operational Support Command,

Tel: 808-8001

(A copy of the attachment referred to in the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee for its meeting on May 18, 1999, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)