Maple Ridge to push for provincial police force

MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS 1130) — Yet another Metro Vancouver city is discussing an alternate police force.

Unlike Surrey, Maple Ridge doesn’t want to replace the RCMP. Instead, city council wants B.C. to establish a provincial police force, to complement the work done by civic forces. Currently, Ontario and Quebec have provincial police forces.

Councillor Gordy Robson brought the motion to the June 18 council meeting and says the formation of a province-wide force would ease the financial burden on cities. He says right now 90 per cent of the cost is borne by the city. The federal government funds the other 10 per cent.

“We think that’s an unfair burden on residential taxpayers and it leads to lack of coordination amongst provincial efforts for major crime,” he says.

Robson says he envisions a provincial force that would focus on major crimes and would do similar work to that of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team or the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.  

“We should have a force that is able to go anywhere in the province and chase any major crime,” he says.

Currently, police from several municipalities are seconded to these regional teams which focus on murder, drugs and gangs. Cities still pay the officers but IHIT and CFSEU are not accountable to city councils or police boards.

“Ten per cent of our police department don’t work in our city anymore/. They’re part of regional teams and we’d like those regional teams to be responsible and reporting to someone,” he says.

Robson says a resolution will be brought to the Union of BC Municipalities convention in September.

“It will be debated at UBCM convention. If there’s any interest in going ahead I’m sure there will be a study and we’ll be looking at how this will be instituted,” he says.

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