cities throughout Ontario, many have started moving to a centralized framework to focus on physical security.

While both the TRVA reports and the Security Master Plan offer recommendations for some physical security improvements, the overarching recommendation is to establish a centralized corporate security division. Currently security is decentralized and managed at a department level. A centralized security structure would provide a holistic approach that considers corporate needs, and provides consistency and standardization across all departments.

This report outlines options for implementing a Corporate Security Division using a phased approach, and seeks Council’s direction.

Background:

As a valued corporate function, physical security has emerged as an important component of a municipality’s overall risk mitigation.

The City of Windsor embarked on a project to study how to better protect its people and property. This means ensuring the physical safety and security of all its employees, elected officials, visitors to City facilities, and ensuring that valuable corporate assets are protected.

In October of 2018, a Request for Proposal (RFP No 139-18) was issued for a consultant to conduct a security assessment and master plan, which was awarded in November 2018. The scope of work included:

• Comprehensive security threat, vulnerability and risk assessments (TRVAs) of five (5) facilities in the downtown area, including 350 City Hall, 400 City Hall, the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre, the Windsor Museum/Art Gallery and the Windsor International Transit Terminal;

• Review of existing security policies and procedures, and recommend new ones as required.

• Create an overarching Security Master Plan; and

• Evaluate the existing security delivery model and assess the need for a dedicated internal security division, and if needed, provide recommendations for organizational structure, management, staffing size, positional responsibilities, and cost.

As part of the TRVAs, select city staff responsible for, associated with, or affected by the security at the five facilities were interviewed. City departments that participated in the interviews include representatives from Facilities, Recreation & Culture, Transit Windsor, Human Resources (Health & Safety), Social Services, Council Services, Licensing, Information Technology, the Corporate Leadership Team, the CAO and the Mayor’s Office.

The consultant also conducted site visits of the five facilities to assess features such as the physical layout, the security systems, lighting, the site locations relative to surrounding neighbourhoods, and activities at each site.