Haliburton Highlands OPP detachment commander, Deb McClure, highlighted efforts to tackle online fraud, improve traffic safety, discussed new technology, and mental health partnerships, when she presented the board’s annual report July 23.
Tabled at the meeting in McClure’s absence, the document included crime, traffic enforcement, and community wellbeing data, and highlighted initiatives and successes from the past year.
McClure noted 2025 was the last year of the 2023-2025 detachment action plan and her report provided a final update and progress results from the plan. She said she was proud of the dedication, professionalism and work undertaken by members throughout 2025.
McClure said online fraud incidents continued to challenge residents across Haliburton County. “In response, we expanded our outreach efforts with targeted education sessions and in-person presentations, helping individuals recognize emerging fraud tactics and protecting themselves. As criminal methods evolve, our collaboration with community partners remains vital in identifying trends, supporting victims, and preventing future offences.”
The detachment commander added traffic safety remained a key priority. “By focusing enforcement and education on the ‘big four’ offences: speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and lack of seatbelt use, we continued to reduce collision rates and enhance road safety across the region.”
McClure added that throughout 2025, “we advanced and expanded our use of new technologies introduced in recent years. The integration of body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, and automated licence plate recognition has strengthened evidence collection, increased transparency, and enhanced officer and public safety.”
She said they also successfully integrated new radio systems, improving communication reliability in Haliburton County’s challenging geography and supported more effective and co-ordinated frontline response.
“These technological advances further support operational effectiveness and member safety.
“We also continued our partnerships to support individuals experiencing mental health crises. Working with Haliburton Highlands Health Services and other community agencies, we advanced co-response approaches that reduced barriers to care and ensured people received timely, appropriate support.”
As they close out the 2023–25 action plan, McClure said she was encouraged by the progress made across all priority areas. “This work has strengthened our community relationships, enhanced service delivery, and positioned us for continued success.”
Later this year, they will release their 2026-29 action plan; the first developed under the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA).
“We are working closely with our detachment board and engaging with community members to ensure the needs of our communities are reflected in the commitments we make for the next four years,” McClure said.
She added the plan will coincide with the creation of the 2026-29 OPP strategic plan creating organizational alignment.
Police in the schools
Board chair, Andrew Fletcher, said the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, and the OPP police commissioner, want more OPP engagement in schools.
He said it had been a contentious issue over the last number of years; with police officers initially in schools, then a push to pull them out. In 2025, Bill 33 was passed, mandating police returning to schools.
Fletcher said the chiefs want local detachments to develop police and youth engagement strategies, focusing on relationship-building and prevention, rather than enforcement.
Fletcher called it, “a good news story when we get back into the schools and build those relationships with the youth.”
Board member Andrew Hodgson added, “I think we should fully endorse that. I think the police should be in our schools. I think they should be in the high school. I’m in favour of enforcement.”
He recalled when police visited Hal High when he attended, and said students knew it. “We should encourage all the schools and police to be a part of it.”
