Pubdate: Wed, 26 Apr 2006
Source: Packet & Times (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.orilliapacket.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2397
Author: Amy Lazar

ORILLIA OFFICERS DO MORE WITH LESS

Board Hears Orillia OPP Caseload Rivals Larger Detachments

Orillia OPP officers are slashing violent-crime statistics like  
detachments double the size.

That's what Det.-Sgt. Paul McCrickard told the Orillia Police  
Services Board at its monthly meeting yesterday.

"The amount of work we're doing, if you look at our numbers of  
violent crime, we are ahead of other detachments in this region, and  
yet we do the work with the same number of detectives that the others  
have," said McCrickard, 41, who has 20 years of policing under his belt.

Last month, the board heard violent crime had spiked 92 per cent  
compared to February 2005 statistics. March data show an 18 per cent  
increase from 2005 to 2006.

Orillia OPP has eight full-time detectives in the crime unit.

In addition, the detachment has dedicated two officers to drug  
enforcement who work with another from the Mnjikaning Police Service  
and a fourth from the provincial drug enforcement unit.

"Violent crime is our No. 1 objective," said McCrickard.

"It is all related to drugs. The sexual assaults, the robberies and  
break and enters all route back to drugs."
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MAP posted-by: Jackl