OPP Commissioner explains 'significant role' in new border measures

The Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police believes they can play a significant role in border security but said more resources will be needed for long-term sustainability.

CTV News Windsor spoke with Thomas Carrique on Wednesday evening about the province’s recently released plans to bolster the border.

“We're well aware of the criminal activity that takes place in and around borders, the public safety needs that need to be addressed,” Carrique said.

On Tuesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford revealed plans to strengthen security along its border with the United States.

The plan labelled “Operation Deterrence” includes 200 Ontario Provincial Police officers from the emergency response team to help with border security. Increased OPP patrols feature the use of airplanes, helicopters, drones, boats and patrol vehicles.

Work has been underway for more than a month, which Carrique said has included a stronger presence at the border and the use of air assets to patrol vulnerable areas.

“There is a lot of activity that happens around those borders, where we can play a significant role,” Carrique said.

According to the province, since Dec. 6, the OPP has logged more than 6,000 hours of focused border patrols.

Carrique said in this phase of the operation, officers are focused on the deterrence of criminal activity through highly visible patrols.

“It gives us the opportunity to identify opportunities for further investigations, perhaps even intervene and disrupt criminal activity,” Carrique said.

As phases progress, Carrique said there will then be an emphasis on detection and disruption.

Operation Deterrence has already shown results, which included disrupting the landing of a “suspicious aircraft” at an unmanned airstrip.

“Just last night, there was an arrest of four individuals as part of our BEST team, Border Enforcement Security Task Force, attempting to smuggle individuals into the U.S.,” he said.

The operation comes amid a growing strain between Canada and its closest ally. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods, unless Canada cracks down on the movement of fentanyl and illegal crossings.

Despite the use of OPP resources, Carrique said the operation will not cause a “public safety vulnerability,” or concern.

“Realizing that some of the public safety concerns around the border is drug trafficking, it's human smuggling, it's firearms that are coming into Canada from the United States,” Carrique noted.

However, in order to maintain the same level of security long-term, Carrique said there will be a need to hire more officers.

“If the rate in which we are supporting the concerns around border security now are going to be sustained, it will require additional resources,” he said.

“But we have the opportunity to ensure that it is intelligence-led, and we are utilizing the right resources at the right time, doing the right things, leveraging the resources we already have.”