'It can shut down and collapse units': Victoria's police union says department declared state of emergency due to Omicron
The Victoria Police Department is taking a drastic step and declaring what amounts to a 'state of emergency' due to COVID-19 staffing concerns.
According to the Victoria City Police Union, current and expected staffing shortages from the Omicron variant of COVID-19 have forced the department to invoke a rarely used section of its collective agreement.
Section 11(1) gives the department the ability to quickly re-deploy any member of the force to maintain patrol staffing levels for daily 911 calls.
"It can shut down and collapse units to redirect staff to the frontlines," union president, Len Hollingsworth, told CTV News on Thursday.
"It gives (management) latitude to adjust schedules and move members around without consultation."
The department officially told the union about the changes Thursday morning. They come into effect on Monday.
Victoria Police management are falling short of saying this is the declaration of a state of emergency, but language in the collective agreement clearly indicates this is an emergency step.
The collective agreement indicates that the police chief can shift staff members' working hours in emergency situations, "only for the period required to cope with such emergent circumstances," so long as they meet with union officials and employees do not exceed 16 work days in a 28 consecutive day period.
Other requirements under the collective agreement include at least two consecutive days off out of seven consecutive days, or equal time off if two consecutive days cannot be maintained due to "emergent or abnormal circumstances" at a later date.
"The situation is more than likely going to be worse before it gets better," said Victoria Police Chief, Del Manak.
"We need to be predicting that," he said. "We need to be ahead of that – we want to be ahead of that and we want to do everything we can to maintain a level of operational readiness."
Manak would not say how many staff members are currently off due to COVID-19, but says that Omicron has impacted the force.
The president of the police union says not all members agree that the police department faces an emergency, but says existing staffing shortages and looming issues did demand action.
"If there was ever an appropriate time it’s probably this time," said Hollingsworth.
RCMP ANTICIPATION
Vancouver Island’s RCMP detachments are also closely watching staffing levels as Omicron causes widespread sickness.
"We are monitoring the situation and tracking any impacts," said RCMP media relations officer, Sgt. Chris Manseau.
"We anticipate that there could be a rise in employees either requiring sick leave or requiring time off due to possible symptoms or exposures."
Mounties say despite concerns, they will shift staffing levels to ensure 911 calls are attended.
WINNIPEG EMERGENCY
The Winnipeg Police Service has already made the move to declare a state of emergency.
On Wednesday, the municipal department said it had 90 active COVID-19 cases, and 170 personnel had booked time off on COVID-19-related leave.
Section 11(1) of the Victoria City Police Union's collective agreement can be read in full below:
11 (1) Notwithstanding anything else contained in the agreement, in the event the Chief
Constable or designate is of the opinion that there exists an emergency affecting
the public, the Chief Constable or designate may advance or retard the posted
hours of work for any member up to eight (8) hours, only for the period required
to cope with such emergent circumstances and provided the following condition
is complied with:
The Chief or designate meets with the Union Officials who are available on
short notice to explain the circumstances and consult on the ramifications of such
changes.
In addition, the Chief Constable or designate may vary the days of work and
leave during an emergency as noted above, provided the total days worked, over
a twenty-eight (28) consecutive day period do not exceed sixteen (16), and
provided:
(a) where practical, each member shall have not less than two (2) consecutive
days of leave in each seven (7) consecutive day period; and,
(b) where emergent or abnormal circumstances preclude two (2) consecutive
days of leave in any seven (7) consecutive day period the days of leave not
taken as per Article 11 (1 )(a) above shall be taken in time off at a later date.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.