OPP Detachment Boards

The District is responsible for policing in Muskoka and uses the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to deliver this service. Three OPP detachments provide police services across communities in Muskoka - the Bracebridge, Huntsville and Southern Georgian Bay Detachments.

OPP Detachment Boards are required for all police service detachments in the Province. (Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019)

Membership

The Bracebridge OPP Detachment provides police services to the Town of Bracebridge, the Town of Gravenhurst, the Township of Muskoka Lakes, and the Township of Georgian Bay (Northern - former geographic townships of Freeman and Gibson). The detachment service area includes Moose Deer Point and Wahta Mohawks First Nations. A 16-member Board will be established for this detachment, consisting of:

Council Member Seats (7)
- The District of Muskoka (upper-tier) is responsible for the appointment of 5 council members representing each lower-tier municipality within the catchment and the District Chair or designate.
- Wahta Mohawks First Nation and Moose Deer Point First Nation are responsible for the appointment of 1 council member each.
Community Representative Seats (6)
- The District of Muskoka is responsible for the appointment of 4 community representatives: one for each lower-tier municipality within the catchment.
- Wahta Mohawks First Nation and Moose Deer Point First Nation are responsible for the appointment of 1 community representative each.
Provincial Appointees (3)

The Huntsville OPP Detachment provides police services to the Town of Huntsville and the Township of Lake of Bays. A six-member Board will be established for this detachment, consisting of:

Council Member Seats (3)
- The District of Muskoka (upper-tier) is responsible for the appointment of 3 council members representing each lower-tier municipality within the catchment and the District Chair or designate.
Community Representative Seats (2)
- The District of Muskoka is responsible for the appointment of 2 community representatives: one for each lower-tier municipality within the catchment.
Provincial Appointee (1)

The South Georgian Bay OPP Detachment provides police services to the majority of the communities in the Township of Georgian Bay, as well as four municipalities (Town of Midland, and the Townships of Penetanguishene, Tay and Tiny) that are located outside the District of Muskoka. A 13-member Board will be established for this detachment will be established, consisting of:

Council Member Seats (5)
- All communities in the detachment are responsible for the appointment of 1 council member each.
Community Representative Seats (5)
- All communities in the detachment are responsible for the appointment of 1 community representative each.
Provincial Appointees (3)

Key Responsibilities and Expectations

OPP Detachment Boards key responsibilities:

consult with the Commissioner regarding the selection of a detachment commander and otherwise participate, in accordance with the regulations made by the Minister, in the selection of the detachment commander;
determine objectives and priorities for the detachment, not inconsistent with the strategic plan prepared by the Minister, after consultation with the detachment commander or his or her designate;
advise the detachment commander with respect to policing provided by the detachment;
monitor the performance of the detachment commander;
review the reports from the detachment commander or his or her designate regarding policing provided by the detachment;
on or before June 30 in each year, provide an annual report to the municipalities and band councils regarding the policing provided by the detachment in their municipalities or First Nation reserves.

Please note that an O.P.P. detachment board may also establish local policies, after consultation with the detachment commander or his or her designate, with respect to policing in the area receiving policing from the detachment.

As a Board member, you will be expected to:

Take an oath or affirmation of office;
Successfully complete all training (primarily online) as assigned by the Ministry or the District of Muskoka;
Comply with the Community Safety and Policing Act 2019 Code of Conduct;
Support the key responsibilities of the Board;
Approval of the terms of reference; and
Attend the Board meetings (minimum of 4 meetings per calendar year).

Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

Resident (permanent or seasonal) of one (1) of the municipalities participating in either the Bracebridge O.P.P. Detachment Board (Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Muskoka Lakes, northern area of Georgian Bay) or the Huntsville O.P.P. Detachment Board (Huntsville and Lake of Bays). One (1) community representative will be appointed for each municipality. Please note that Moose Deer Point First Nation and Wahta Mohawks First Nation will be appointing community representatives to the Bracebridge O.P.P. Detachment Board through their own process.
Minimum of 18 years of age
Pass a criminal record check (to be completed after appointment to the Board)

The following community members are not eligible to be a member of the Boards:

A judge or justice of the peace.

A member of a police service, a special constable or a First Nation Officer.

Any person who practices criminal law as a defense counsel or as a prosecutor.

A director, officer or employee of a prescribed policing provider.
Any other prescribed persons:

Former members of a police service;
A former member of a police service is not eligible to be a member of a police service board unless;
the police service board does not maintain a police service that the person was a member of; and
at least one year has passed since the person ceased to be a member of any police service.

Applications are closed and appointments have been made for the Bracebridge and Huntsville O.P.P. Detachment Boards as adopted through Muskoka District Council Resolution 80/2024.

OPP Detachment Board Applicant Information Package