Within a few weeks, the people of B.C. will know what kind of deal they have with those entrusted to protect them, the RCMP.
Although it’s not yet finalized, Maple Ridge council heard some of the proposals of the new RCMP contract at its Monday meeting
But there already are some shortcomings concerning one of the features related to the new contract, the Independent Investigations Office announced last fall.
“In my opinion, it’s not civilian oversight,” said Coun. Mike Morden.
He was referring to the investigators who will be hired by the civilian director of the office to look into complaints about police conduct.
“It’s all police representation sitting on this, ex-police, not having served in B.C. for five years.”
The Independent Investigations Office will look at police-related incidents that result in severe injury or death.
Civilian oversight of investigations of police wrong-doing was one of the most sought-after parts of the new contract demanded by the public.
The Independent Investigations Office is expected to be up and running by mid-2012, Its director cannot be a former police officer, but can hire them as investigators, as long as they have not served in B.C. within the past five years.
Morden said the investigators should include a lawyer, or a paramedic or psychologist, to balance out the body.
“That doesn’t look good to the public because you’re simply stating you want ex-police.”
He noted, however, there’s a transition period after which the commission will have civilian representation.
By 2015, a committee of the legislature will review progress made towards getting an office entirely staffed by civilians.
Morden said Maple Ridge has a good relationship with the RCMP, but objects to the federal government’s approach during the contract negotiations by not giving B.C. a chance to consider a provincial force.
“We didn’t even have a chance to look at that option. I personally don’t agree with doing business in that fashion.”
Coun. Al Hogarth asked RCMP are tailoring their training to suit the conditions in which officers would be working.
“What happens in Maple Ridge is totally different to what happens in Inuvik.”
Supt. Dave Walsh said RCMP experimented with a university model of training for about three years. That didn’t work out, so they reverted to military training at the depot in Regina. He said officers get training in both rural and urban scenarios.
“All things considered, I think the product we’re getting today is way better. I think they’re smarter, faster, brighter than I ever was.
“I don’t think I could apply for my job now and get it,” said Walsh, officer in charge of the Ridge Meadows detachment.
Under the proposed contract, Maple Ridge could either save money or incur expenses.
While the district now pays for 90 per cent of policing costs and the federal government pays 10 per cent, the contract proposes considering the integrated teams such as IHIT or the canine team as provincial officers.
That means the province would pay 70 per cent of the costs and the municipality 30 per cent.
“But I have to say, it is a significant achievement,” said Maple Ridge’s finance general manager Paul Gill, who’s on the negotiating committee for the new RCMP contract.
As well, municipalities could be billed on actual costs for some services, rather than set fees passed on by the RCMP.
Gill pointed out the contract actually involves three agreements – two between the federal and provincial governments, and another between the municipalities and the province.
The latter will go before municipalities following approval by cabinet in March.
Gill, along with three Lower Mainland local politicians, will also be on the contract management committee to ensure the contract is working as intended and which give cities a voice on policing issues to the provincial government.
Two major RCMP costs remain facing the district.
The district still will have pay for the retroactive RCMP raise, as well as its share of the new RCMP headquarters in Surrey. “That could have significant financial consequences,” Gill said of the latter.
Currently, total policing costs the district about $19 million a year.
The current RCMP contract expires at the end of March. Under the new deal, cities can bail from the agreement if they give two years notice.