Esquimalt votes to end police agreement with Victoria
The Township of Esquimalt is looking to exit its agreement with Victoria and the Victoria Police Department, which sees the two communities sharing an amalgamated police force.
Esquimalt and Victoria are currently under a 10-year agreement, which is up for renewal the end of this year.
On Tuesday, Esquimalt announced it will not renew the agreement and will instead pursue a new policing model.
"We did not make this decision lightly," said Mayor Barbara Desjardins in a statement Tuesday. "However this is not a sudden or new problem – Esquimalt has been burdened by this model for many years."
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins speaks with media outside the township's municipal hall. (CTV News
Earlier this year, Esquimalt decided not to approve a budget request from VicPD, saying that the municipality already paid more than it needed for policing.
Desjardins said at the time that Esquimalt was on the hook for things like overtime pay for protests or events in Victoria.
"We just don't feel that Esquimalt should have to pay for those extras because we're the only department amalgamated with Victoria," she said at the time.
On Tuesday, Victoria Police Chief Del Manak said he was "disappointed" by Esquimalt council's decision.
"VicPD has proudly served Esquimalt residents for many years," he said in a statement. "Our officers have provided an excellent level of police service and have developed strong community connections."
The police chief said VicPD will continue to serve the community until a final decision is made, and added that he believes the move is purely a financial one and is not based on the performance of VicPD officers.
"I’m hopeful that when government reviews this, it will be viewed through the lens of the recommendations from the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act, specific to a regional approach to a fragmented policing structure," he said.
NEW POLICING MODEL
Esquimalt says it's now looking for a consultant to come up with proposals for different police service delivery models for the community.
The township hopes to have these alternate police models submitted to the province before the shared police agreement expires on Dec. 31, 2023.
Esquimalt has also asked the B.C. government for $150,000 in funding to prepare the proposal.
"Both councils and the police board have worked diligently to make the best out of the situation we are in," said Desjardins on Tuesday.
"The fact remains that two municipalities are making decisions on one budget, regardless of their vastly different needs and it’s challenging on both sides," she said.
The Victoria Police Department headquarters. (CTV News)
This year, Esquimalt's share of VicPD's total budget was 13.67 per cent, or roughly $8.4 million. The township says that funding is about 22 per cent of the municipality's total annual budget.
Esquimalt also claims it has the highest operating cost per officer in the region, and the second-highest police operating cost compared to similar jurisdictions in B.C. that have populations between 15,000 and 25,000 residents.
"This issue represents a significant amount of Esquimalt taxpayers' money that could be used on a variety of projects of benefit to the community," said Desjardins.
"Given that we are at the end of the current agreement, it would be irresponsible to not do our due diligence in considering all our police servicing options," she said.
The shared framework agreement between Esquimalt and Victoria first began in 2003.
CTV News has reached out to VicPD for comment.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.