An apparent dispute has developed over severance packages for outgoing police employees in Amherstburg.
Town council has held a special, in-camera meeting after it was learned that two of three employees are leaving before the January 1st policing takeover by Windsor.
The severance totals $689,000.
The chair of the Amherstburg Police Services Board, Bob Rozankovic, believes the town will have to pay.
"The issue now is that the CAO, the mayor and the deputy mayor have all year stated there will be no severance and quite honestly, I think they've lost face with the community," says Rozankovic. "I would like to say it was an outright lie but I'd whether call it a miscalculation on their part, and arrogance, that they thought they could control the whole process."
In October, an arbitrator decided employees are entitled to four weeks severance pay per year of service. However, in the past, town officials have called the decision a opinion by the arbitrator.
Rozankovic says he hopes the town and council understands its responsibilities and says the board, along with the police association, are standing on firm legal ground.
"A portion of the severance is a sticking point and it's related to two particular individuals that are leaving before December 31st," he says. "One on December 22nd, one on the 27th and from what I gather from the Chief Administrative Officer, he feels because they're not staying until the 31st, they should not get any severance. That is not the board's position."
Following the meeting, town CAO John Miceli only told the media he was given direction by the new council.
A motion to go in-camera has been shot down. Many questions by newly elected councillors. In-camera meeting expected to deal with personnel matter for police change. #cklw @AM800News pic.twitter.com/yfXFH8VjGR
— Rob Hindi (@rhindi800) December 19, 2018
The police change over was officially approved by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission in July, 2018.
The switch is expected to save the town $570,000 a year and will go into effect on January 1st.
The town and the city of Windsor have signed a 20-year contract for policing services.