ROTHENBURGER: Surrey report shows city police force not a good idea here

KAMLOOPS — IF THE IDEA OF a Kamloops municipal police force ever rears its head again, a look at what’s going on in Surrey would be in order.

A report on the costs of switching from the RCMP to a municipal force was released this week and it shows it would cost 10.9 per cent more and have fewer members.

If that’s typical, Kamloops taxpayers would be looking at an increase of about $2.75 million a year under a similar scenario.

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 12, 2024

17h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: North Shore BIA working hard to develop a 'happening place'

23h ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

The supposed benefit to Surrey residents in exchange for higher taxes and fewer members is that a municipal force would better understand the policing needs of the city and would, therefore, do a better job.

The transition, if approved by the province, would be no easy feat. An administrative re-organization and new equipment would be needed. Even the cost of repainting police cars would be several hundred thousand dollars.

But what about the claim that local police would be more in synch with the needs of the community?

In Kamloops, a lot has been done to improve the partnership between the city and RCMP. The force works closely with City Hall on committees and on a day-to-day basis.

Under a formal protocol, the superintendent immediately informs the mayor of any major police actions. New ways of integrating policing with social services are being explored. City council plays a major role in hiring superintendents.

The availability of the Emergency Response Team, the anti-gang unit and other expertise, without needing to maintain them within the local detachment, provides high-quality services at an economical cost.

It would be very tough indeed to make a case that the high cost of switching to a municipal force in Kamloops would be worth it.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and newspaper editor. He publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.