Whereas in January 2016 amendments to the RCMP Auxiliary Constable Program came into effect, including the immediate elimination of ride-alongs with RCMP members in police cars and firearms familiarization training, as well as the review of duties that could eliminate auxiliary constable participation in special events and crowdtraffic control; And whereas public safety is a critical objective of BC local governments, RCMP detachments and municipal police departments with auxiliary constables serving an important role in assisting and complementing an already overburdened police force in the provision of public safety programs and in the delivery of basic police services: Therefore be it resolved that the Province of British Columbia be requested to exert pressure on both the Government of Canada and the RCMPs E Division for the immediate reinstatement of the Auxiliary Constable Program in British Columbia to its pre-January 2016 role complete with the ride-along and firearms familiarization training programs as well as continued participation in special events and crowd or traffic control.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General The AuxiliaryReserve Constable Program has been in place in British Columbia for over 50 years and they have done an exemplary job fulfilling their primary purpose to participate in community policing activities relating to public safety and crime prevention. The Program is governed by a Provincial policy that was developed through consultation with stakeholders including policing partners and UBCM. The RCMP in Ottawa proposed substantial changes to the Program, and while we agree that the safety of Auxiliary Constables is paramount, the Province has taken opportunities throughout this review process to voice our concerns about the future of the Program. The Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General met personally with the RCMP Commissioner about the proposed changes to the Program. As well, the Ministry actively expressed concerns to the RCMP and the RCMP Contract Management Committee and followed up in writing to both RCMP Headquarters in Ottawa and to RCMP E Division. The Province undertook a consultation with BC RCMP policed municipalities through a communique and questionnaire in the Spring 2016. The Ministry provided its views, along with the feedback received from local governments, to RCMP Headquarters in Ottawa and to RCMP E Division. In summary, the feedback included: -the Auxiliary Constable Program should remain a provincial program; -the name of the program should not change; -Auxiliary Constables should continue to be appointed as peace officers under the BC Police Act; -Auxiliary Constables should be uniformed; and -Auxiliary Constable activities should be risk managed so that they can continue to provide crime prevention and community safety activities in uniform under general supervision. In September 2016, the RCMP distributed a discussion paper outlining three options for the future Auxiliary Constable Program for consideration in moving forward. Provinces and Territories were asked to provide their support for one of the options prior to a decision being made by the RCMPs Senior Executive Committee. In October 2016, UBCM posted on its website a summary of the options for the Auxiliary Constable Program and a survey requesting that local governments indicate their preferred option. UBCM summarized the results of the survey and provided a response to the Province on November 1, 2016. Of the responses received, 7 of local governments supported Option 1 status quo, 2 supported Option 2 Community Corps type program, and 91 supported Option 3 tiered program. The results of the UBCM survey were discussed at the Local Government Contract Management Committee LGCMC meeting on November 3, 2016. The LGCMC recommended Option 3 tiered program as the preferred option for the Auxiliary Constable Program moving forward. A letter from the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General supporting Option 3 tiered program was delivered to the RCMP Commissioner in Ottawa on November 23, 2016. On December 21, 2016, Provinces and Territories were advised that the RCMP will implement the tiered model where Auxiliary Constables will be permitted to participate in activities based on their level of training, assessed risks, and community needs. We are pleased that the RCMP has considered the input received from the Provinces, Territories and Municipalities and ultimately selected the tiered model. The Ministry will continue to provide input into the development of the Program over the coming months as the RCMP updates its National policy and creates training standards for each tier. The Ministry highly values the considerable commitment of the Auxiliary Constables who volunteer in British Columbias communities and we remain committed to a robust and effective uniformed AuxiliaryReserve Constable Program.
Assistant Commissioner, Criminal Operations Officer, E Division Core Policing, RCMP Since the changes were made, the RCMP was actively engaged, through the Contract Management Committee CMC, with all provinces and territories as well as with the Local Government CMC in British Columbia. As a result, an Options paper was presented to the CMC in the fall of 2016. I am pleased to report that the RCMP Senior Executive Committee met on December 19, 2016 and, after extensive consultation, decided on a three 3 tier model. This model permits divisions and contract partners to choose one, or any combination of tiers, of prescribed auxiliary duties and activities. Although there remains significant work to be completed, such as the finalization of training standards and other programming activities, the Division will be working closely with the Province to implement the changes as soon as possible.