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A2 -The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday, January 1, 2003 Study would address officer workload, stress, overtime (Continued from page A1) board is seriously considering the association's request. In the end, Robinson said board members decided to look into the possibility of doing a study, but left the specifics to the chief. Details yet to be worked out include whether the analysis w ill be done internally or by an outside body, as well as the specific parameters of the study. " We're open to everything," said Robinson, who maintains that it is incumbent on the board to verify all the facts first before any decisions are made. " How it all turns out, I don't know." To address the " legitimate and bonafide concerns of our members," the H RPA is specifically asking that a "thorough, detailed internal staffing and workload analysis be completed by the end of March 2003." This review, says the HRPA's formal statement, should be conducted in a "credible, logical and reasonable manner with the full involvement" of the Senior Officers Association. HRPA, the board and the chief. Most importantly, says Atkinson, the analysis should have " teeth" and its results must be implemented. The H RPA also asked the board that the review be fash ioned after the recent analysis conducted by the London Police Service (L P S), which recently went through a similar workload review. "This comprehensive analysis pinpointed areas of need and the board has approved the hiring of 85 new police offi cers for the LPS over the next three years." said London Police Services Board chair Jan Richardson. If the board and chief do not play ball, Atkinson said the HRPA is prepared to look outside the service for a review by the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police "The most recent Services (OCCOPS). statistics show that Thirteen years ago the Halton officers respond Ontario Police Commission. O CCO PS' predecessor, carried to 95,000 calls for service a year, 18,00 of out a workload analysis and determined that 49 new offi which are criminal cers needed to be hired. offences. Officers must " The situation that prompt ed that to be done in 1989 is also provide court back and needs to be protection and prisoner addressed," said La Course. transport. The HRPA is disappointed that the chief's recent 2003 budget does not represent any request that deals with the hiring of additional staff to com pensate for the workload increases that have occurred over the years. Factors influencing the mounting workload, Atkinson explained, range from a host of mandatory and prescriptive legislation outside of the service's control to growth, onerous evidence collection requirements and adequacy standards. The most recent statistics show that Halton officers respond to 95,000 calls for service a year, 18,000 of which are criminal offences. Officers must also provide court protection and prisoner transport plus deal with hundreds of calls at Milton's Maplehurst Correctional Facility. The impacts of this includes increased stress, longer response times and rampant overtime, said Atkinson. In November 2001, Crowell was quoted as saying that with the force paying out more than $ I (X).O(X) in overtime the previous year, many officers are suffering burn-out and are not applying for paid duties. Currently, said Atkinson, the service is spending around $2 million a year on overtime. The budget is " conservative at best" at addressing front line strength already depleted by officers being seconded for police work elsewhere which -- while important, says La Course -- leaves the streets under-protected. He said the hiring of 60 officers -- even over the next two or three years -- would only cover current shortages on the front line, not including retirements and resignations. Liesa Kortmann · Oakville Beaver SKATING FOR A CAUSE: Andrea Zeisman, right, leads the girls from her Hornets team during their skate-a-thon to raise money for the team and the Salvation Arm y. Natalie Fossenier takes a seat and a break from skating at her sister's skate-a-thon. The event was held at the Ice Sports Arena last week. It takes Courage to attempt Polar Bear Dip M ore than 250 participants are expected to take the plunge during today's (Wednesday) 18th annual Courage Brothers' World Vision Polar Bear Dip. The New Year's Day spectacle, spear headed by brothers Trent and Todd Courage, is a local tradition that has grown into Eastern Canada's largest Polar Bear Dip. More than 300 'polar bears' ran into the Lake at Coronation Park to usher in 2002 and raised about $20,(XX) for World Vision Canada. The money was used to help protect Afghani refugees from hunger and a bitterly cold winter. The goal is to raise $25,000. The money will be used by World Vision Canada to provide safe, clean water in Nicaragua. Honduras and Tanzania. With a minimum $25 donation, participants receive cotton T-shirts and certificates: for $50. entrants get a pewter dog tag with a polar bear design. The `polar bear' with the highest amount in pledges wins two airline tickets to Florida. Prizes will also be awarded for the zaniest individual cos tume, the craziest couple costume and coolest polar bear costume. Registration at Coronation Park runs from 1:15-1:45 p.m. The `polar bears' enter the water promptly at 2 p.m. Participants should bring towels, blankets and a change of warm clothes, and spectators are also advised to dress warm -- and bring loonies and toonies for World Vision Canada. This event dates back to 1985 when five dip pers jumped into the lake from a dock at a Burlington residence. Because of its growth in popularity, it moved to Coronation Park in `88 and became known as the Burloak Polar Bear Club. Since 1995. the event has raised more than $80,(XX) for World Vision Canada. Previously, the polar bear dip raised funds for various local charities. In 1997, the event became known as the Courage Brothers' World Vision Polar Bear Club. For information, or to register, call Trent, Todd or Anna at 905-607-4950, ext. 24. 1-800C O U R A G E (268-7243), ext. 24. or visit www.polarbeardip.ca. C o lA /ic e s DEIPP clinic at parent-child centre Parents, do you have concerns regarding your child's hearing, speech, behaviour or development? Is your child under the age of five? A free Developmental Early Identification Prevention Program (D E IP P ) consultation clinic is being offered on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the Oakville Parent-Child Centre. Oakville's Ontario Early Year's Centre, at 337 Kerr St. from 9-11 a.m. Consultations are provided on a first come first served basis so arrive early to register. For more information, call the centre at 905-849-6366. 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