On April 2, 2024, the Local Government RCMP Contract Management Committee (LGCMC) met with provincial government and BC RCMP representatives to discuss issues related to the Municipal Police Unit Agreements, and policing more broadly in British Columbia. Key issues discussed at the meeting are summarized in this article.
Decriminalization of Illicit Drugs and Public Use
The Committee received a presentation on decriminalization and public use legislation and impacts on policing and local governments. The presentation provided background on the Local Government Working Group, as well updates on implementation, including police training, statistics and public use legislation. Committee members raised questions about whether there were further discussions on the 2.5-gram possession limit, the experience of Oregon, and whether prescribed alternatives (formerly “safer supply”) are being diverted.
Assessment of Contract Policing
Provincial representatives provided an update on Public Safety Canada’s (PSC) Assessment of Contract Policing. Despite PSC’s commitment to share a draft summary report with all contract partners, notably those represented at the national Contract Management Committee (CMC), the document has not been shared with local governments. Local government members noted that it was disrespectful that the report has been withheld from local governments.
Also discussed were the current Municipal Police Unit Agreement population thresholds, and whether there was any consideration, through PSC’s Assessment of Contract Policing, to add more thresholds to help ease the burden on municipal contract partners. It was noted that this issue has been raised with Canada and the Province through various forums.
Collective Bargaining Update
RCMP “E” Division representatives provided an update on collective bargaining, including the upcoming arbitration decision. In response to a question from the Committee, asking whether there would be a formal notification recommending setting aside extra funds in case the arbitration award came in higher than the planning rate, it was stated that a letter was sent to local government contract partners in June 2023. It was also noted that while the planning rate communicated to contract partners was a recommendation, local governments were also encouraged to build contingencies that are higher than the planning rate included in the Multi-Year Financial Plans. This information was shared in UBCM’s newsletter.
LGCMC members re-iterated that salary increases related to collective bargaining represent a significant budget item/increase for local governments.
Auxiliary Program Update
The RCMP delivered an update on the new Auxiliary Program. The RCMP’s previous Auxiliary Program has been discontinued, and former members that are interested in being part of the new Auxiliary Program are being processed. The Province has established a budget to cover implementation costs, including recruitment, training and uniforms.
Stage two of the new Auxiliary Program has launched successfully, with the RCMP delivering a formal announcement. British Columbia will be operating at a Tier 3 level, which is the highest tiered option available for the Program.
Local governments seeking to implement the new Auxiliary Program in their communities are asked to coordinate with their local Detachment Commanders.
RCMP Recruitment and Vacancies
The LGCMC received an update from the RCMP regarding recruitment and vacancies. It was noted that the Flexible Posting Program, Experienced Police Officer Program, and Diverse and Inclusive Pre-Cadet Experience have all enhanced recruitment in the province. As of August 2023, Depot Division is operating a 40-troop model (32 cadets per troop). Nationally, the RCMP is also examining ways to incentivize posting to less popular jurisdictions; BC does not currently fall under this category.
RCMP members expressed optimism that over the next two years, British Columbia could begin seeing a net increase in the number of RCMP Members. Some of the highest attrition took place after the first RCMP Collective Agreement was signed, but this is not anticipated to repeat. It was noted that some communities are still struggling to regain the RCMP Members they have lost over the past few years.
The RCMP also continues to work on managing soft vacancies, including through case management advisors, who are available to work with RCMP Members that are on sick or medical leave.
Body Worn Cameras
RCMP representatives provided an update on body worn cameras (BWCs). As the selected vendor makes its way through the procurement process, RCMP E Division has chosen its initial pilot sites: Tofino/Ahousaht, Mission, Kamloops, Cranbrook (BC Highway Patrol), and Prince George. All of these communities have received correspondence confirming this decision. In pilot locations, BWCs will be rolled out to front line general duty members, likely beginning in the early fall.
LGCMC members also discussed using artificial intelligence for transcription to reduce the amount of support staff time required for transcription, and potentially reduce costs. Support staff for BWCs will be centralized within E Division and will not be staffed at the detachment level.
Local governments also discussed federal funding, which expired in April 2024, prior to any money being actualized by contract partners to help offset the cost of this federal initiative. More information regarding this funding, including the status of any unused funds, is being sought by local governments through CMC.
The Committee requested that UBCM share an article about BWC with the membership.
Major Events and Operational Initiatives – Impacts on Local Governments
The RCMP provided an update on several major events and operational issues, including wildfire support, resource protests, Indigenous policing, and gang violence.
Surrey Transition & Police Act Amendments
The Province provided an update on the Surrey police model transition. Since the Minister’s July 2023 decision and subsequent legislative amendments, the Strategic Implementation Advisor has worked with transition parties to advance additional planning and implementation to move the transition forward. Provincial staff advised that the Surrey Police Board’s 2024 provisional budget was developed in alignment with this work.
In January 2024, the provincial administrator (appointed to act in place of the Surrey Police Board) publicly released and presented a provincial budget to the City, based in part on the planning assumption of hiring 180 Surrey Police Service officers this year (including 135 experienced officers from other police agencies across Canada).
LGCMC members discussed impacts on local governments, including those resulting from staffing changes at the Surrey Police Service. The Committee agreed to continue these discussions at future LGCMC meetings.
At the time of this LGCMC meeting, court proceedings remained unresolved.
Divisional Administration Overview
The Province presented a “Divisional Administration Backgrounder” as part of a commitment made to UBCM and the LGCMC. This draft document offered an overview of Divisional Administration, as outlined in the Police Service Agreements. The backgrounder was presented to seek input from the Committee. The Province is working to incorporate LGCMC comments and feedback into a final version, which will be shared with the UBCM members (via the Compass newsletter) in the near future.