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Splitting 91原创 RCMP would increase taxpayer costs, inefficiency: City report

Releases findings of RCMP headquarters review of proposed separation of detachments
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An RCMP E Division review shows a 91原创 Township proposal to split the RCMP detachment will mean added expense for taxpayers, warned a City report released Monday, June 3. (91原创 Advance Times file)

Taxpayers in 91原创 City and the Township of 91原创 will pay more if the 91原创 RCMP is split into separate detachments for the two communities.

That鈥檚 according to a statement released Monday, June 3 by the City of the 91原创 that reported a review by the B.C. RCMP 鈥淓鈥 Division headquarters showed the split being sought by the Township would be inefficient and would destabilize policing in the City, the Township, and the province.

Based on the 鈥淓鈥 Division review, City Mayor Nathan Pachal said the 91原创 RCMP detachment should remain fully integrated, with a renegotiated police service agreement.

鈥淭here is no compelling financial and/or operational rationale to de-integrate the current integrated model which provides effective policing for both municipalities,鈥 Pachal commented.

READ ALSO: Splitting 91原创 RCMP between City, Township will take 鈥榤any years鈥 says Pachal

The RCMP 鈥淓鈥 Division de-integration assessment looked at three options: remain fully integrated with a modified police service agreement; create two autonomous detachments with limited shared services; or create two 鈥渇ully autonomous detachments.鈥

While the Township has complained the City hasn鈥檛 been paying its fair share of policing costs, the City rejects that assertion and said the RCMP review backs them up.

鈥淭he RCMP鈥檚 assessment report clearly indicates the cost sharing ratio between the City and the Township is proportional to the regular members funded strength, calls for service per member, calls for service dispatched per member, and average service time,鈥 Mayor Pachal said.

鈥淭he autonomous detachments model would not only require further study to identify the risks and develop a transition plan, but it would also require additional police members and municipal employees to cover the inefficiencies that a de-integrated model perpetuates, at additional costs to the taxpayers of both communities,鈥 Pachal warned.

鈥淭he de-integration of the 91原创 RCMP Detachment would not be conductive to community safety, rather it would destabilize policing in the City, the Township, and the province of British Columbia.鈥

Pachal noted the makeup of both communities has changed since the last RCMP cost sharing agreement was established, which calls for a 鈥渘ew and modernized cost sharing agreement with the Township of 91原创 based on detailed evidence-based cost analysis, fairness to both communities, and meeting the strategic initiatives and needs for each municipality while maintaining a joint detachment.鈥

READ ALSO: By the numbers: How do 91原创 City, Township stack up on shared policing?

The joint City-Township RCMP detachment provides funding for 210 officers, as well as paying for the detachment headquarters, police vehicles, and other RCMP equipment.

The split proposed by the Township would divide all of that, and force 91原创 City to build or locate its own detachment HQ.

The City position will be conveyed to Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General; Township Mayor Eric Woodward, Maureen Levy, Assistant Commissioner, RCMP Lower Mainland District; Glen Lewis, Assistant Deputy Minister and Director of Police Services; and Supt. Adrian Marsden, the 91原创 RCMP Detachment Officer-in-Charge.

READ ALSO: 91原创 City, Township will have to plan RCMP split, says Solicitor General



Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I鈥檓 the guy you鈥檒l often see out at community events and happenings around town.
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