Change is in the works at C-K police

By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Visible social disorder and concerns surrounding repeat offenders are fuelling change at the Chatham-Kent Police Service.

That’s according to a new report outlining the results of the recent CKPS community survey. Close to 800 local residents provided input, answering 40 questions related to law and order within the municipality.

Homelessness, drug use, property crime and traffic safety were found to be the four top areas of concerns as expressed by the public.

CKPS Chief Kirk Earley commended the residents who responded to the survey.

“I want to sincerely thank every resident who took the time to complete the 2025 Community Survey,” Earley wrote in a statement. “Your feedback is essential, and you will see how your input is directly influencing the way we deliver service, set priorities, and respond to the needs of our community. Policing is a partnership, and the voices of our residents play a critical role in shaping how we move forward.”

In 2025, the CKPS dispatched 86,548 calls – a 14.9-per-cent hike over 2024. However, the overall crime severity index decreased by 2.8 per cent from 2023 to 2024. Statistics show violent crime rose by 6.4 per cent, while non-violent crime decreased by 2.3 per cent.

The report acknowledges that many concerns, such as addiction, homelessness and repeat offending are “rooted in broader social challenges,” noting police will continue to work closely with community partners to “balance enforcement with compassion,” ensuring vulnerable individuals receive support while those who repeatedly harm others are held accountable.

According to the report, a host of initiatives have been adopted over the past year to help boost public confidence. This includes the realignment of departments and resources, including the hire of more officers to handle issues on the front lines and behind the scenes.

Traffic concerns, including aggressive and impaired driving, are another area being addressed, the report said. In 2025, police laid 4,334 provincial charges and arrested 143 impaired drivers – a 32-per-cent increase over the previous year. A total of 97 RIDE programs were also conducted.

Improvements listed in the report include:

• The creation of Zone 15 in downtown Chatham. From 2024 to 2025, foot patrols there rose from 900 to 2,196 – a hike of 144 per cent.
• Police have expanded their tiered response in busy tourist and high traffic areas during the peak season.
• The Criminal Investigation Branch has been realigned into a Major Crime Team, supported by a new General Investigators Unit and an expanded Vulnerable Persons unit.
• As of this summer, each platoon, while covering a specific area of the municipality, will have four supervisors, 24 constables and three special constables to handle incidents.
• Additions include a corporate communications co-ordinator to boost transparency and a dedicated wellness co-ordinator to improve health within the ranks.
• The addition of an embedded crime analyst within the Intelligence Unit, and a tech analyst to support digital investigations which are becoming increasingly complex.