Too many police services
Times Colonist Editorial
June 21, 2014
Former B.C. solicitor general Kash Heed says the Victoria Police Department’s withdrawal from regional services is a political statement; Mayor Dean Fortin says it isn’t. Either way, it brings attention to the folly of having seven separate police departments in the capital district.
VicPD announced this week it would no longer routinely send its canine team to assist other jurisdictions, except for Saanich. Only if it’s a matter of life or death will the department send its dog team to help another jurisdiction.
The decision follows moves by VicPD to withdraw from the Regional Crime Unit and reduce its participation in the Regional Domestic Violence Unit.
Heed says he believes the Victoria department is making a statement that if the province won’t set up a regional police force, Victoria will look out for itself.
Even though Victoria is on record as being in favour of amalgamating the region’s police departments, Fortin said the change to the canine unit is about getting best value for tax dollars and not about the city’s position on regionalization. But he added: “If that draws attention to the regional needs, that’s fine.”
Police departments co-operate regularly, but each is headed by its own chief or commanding officer and must consider its own budget and needs.
Crime, on the other hand, knows no borders. When help is urgently needed, budgets and boundaries should not be the first consideration. At a time when a more regional approach to policing is needed, we shouldn’t be moving in the other direction.
© Copyright Times Colonist
Times Colonist Editorial
June 21, 2014
Former B.C. solicitor general Kash Heed says the Victoria Police Department’s withdrawal from regional services is a political statement; Mayor Dean Fortin says it isn’t. Either way, it brings attention to the folly of having seven separate police departments in the capital district.
VicPD announced this week it would no longer routinely send its canine team to assist other jurisdictions, except for Saanich. Only if it’s a matter of life or death will the department send its dog team to help another jurisdiction.
The decision follows moves by VicPD to withdraw from the Regional Crime Unit and reduce its participation in the Regional Domestic Violence Unit.
Heed says he believes the Victoria department is making a statement that if the province won’t set up a regional police force, Victoria will look out for itself.
Even though Victoria is on record as being in favour of amalgamating the region’s police departments, Fortin said the change to the canine unit is about getting best value for tax dollars and not about the city’s position on regionalization. But he added: “If that draws attention to the regional needs, that’s fine.”
Police departments co-operate regularly, but each is headed by its own chief or commanding officer and must consider its own budget and needs.
Crime, on the other hand, knows no borders. When help is urgently needed, budgets and boundaries should not be the first consideration. At a time when a more regional approach to policing is needed, we shouldn’t be moving in the other direction.
© Copyright Times Colonist
