WHEREAS RCMP detachments in small municipalities through their presence, liaison and regular patrols deter criminal activity in these communities and surrounding areas, supplying a sense of security to our citizens; AND WHEREAS RCMP are presently investigating the cost cutting measures of closing small municipality detachments in favour of centralizing their staff into larger urban detachments, some over an hours travel time from the current detachment location in the small municipality; AND WHEREAS this would leave small municipalities vulnerable to increased criminal activity, slow response times and lack of security: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM call upon the provincial government to liaise with RCMP and affected small municipalities to maintain the status quo and retain all small municipality detachments.
Ministry of Justice The Province recognizes that police visibility is a priority for small municipalities across British Columbia. In these fiscally challenging times, it is increasingly imperative to find innovative solutions to meet public expectations for the delivery of police services and address increasing costs. Government has set this as a priority for the RCMP. The RCMP must balance community safety needs while ensuring that legislative requirements, such as officer safety and well being, are met. The RCMP is reviewing existing service delivery to implement new policing models, where appropriate, that will improve policing in remote and rural areas while ensuring member and public safety.
RCMP The BC RCMP provides provincial policing services to British Columbia under contract between Public Safety Canada and the Province of BC. We are committed to working closely with the Police Services Division to ensure an appropriate and effective policing level throughout the province. These resolutions will be a very important component of the information we will use in our discussions with Police Services Division.