The union representing nearly 4,000 uniformed and civilian members of the Peel Regional Police has endorsed Alvin Tedjo to be Mississauga’s next mayor. Peel Regional Police Association (PRPA) made the endorsement on Monday morning, opting to support the longtime Ward 2 councillor over other candidates that include incumbent Carolyn Parrish, former Mississauga mayor Bonnie Crombie, and current city councillor Dipika Dimerla. In a news release, the union said Tedjo has “made safer communities a key part of his campaign, with a plan focused on tackling auto theft and violent crime, modernizing law enforcement tools, and ensuring Mississauga gets its fair share of policing resources.” Tedjo has ‘right vision to make Mississauga safer’: union President Adrian Wooley said PRPA made the decision to lend its support for Tedjo, who represents the Clarkson and Lorne Park neighbourhoods, specifically because of his crime and safety plan. The union said it believes Tedjo understands the challenges law enforcement faces today and has “the right vision to make Mississauga safer.” “We have worked alongside both Carolyn Parrish and Bonnie Crombie during their time leading the city, and we have not always felt the concerns of frontline officers or the public safety challenges facing Mississauga received the attention they deserved,” Wooley wrote. “Alvin has demonstrated a willingness to listen, work collaboratively with our officers and make public safety a priority. We are confident he will bring a new approach to keeping Mississauga safe.” Tedjo, for his part, said the residents of his city “deserve to feel safe in their homes, on their streets and in their communities.” He has promised to hire more officers and fight for a new and fairer police funding formula for Mississauga and Brampton, one that reduces the tax burden on residents. Tedjo said he also wants to better use non-police emergency resources, modernize traffic enforcement and work with governments on bail reform. His plan also includes annual public safety meetings across the city as well as the creation of a dedicated Mississauga Safety Division. Crombie has endorsement of former police board chair In a statement provided to CP24, Crombie said she’s got the endorsement of former Peel Police Services Board Chair Ron Chatha and hopes to work with them again and other frontline workers to “tackle home invasions, auto theft, extortion and violent crime.” “I am proud of my record of working with Chief Nishan Duraiappah and my colleagues on the Peel Police Services Board to strengthen frontline policing, improve emergency communications and support mental-health crisis response. The final police budget approved during my time on the board included funding for 135 additional officers,” Crombie said in an email. “As Mayor, I will return to the Police Services Board and work with the Chief, unlike the incumbent who resigned when she didn’t get her way, a total abdication of leadership.” CP24 has reached out to Parrish and Dimerla for comment.
