(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall and Sheldon Spackman

decision looming

City council to discuss policing review at special meeting

Jan 9, 2020 | 10:17 AM

Later this month, city council will continue its discussion on whether Red Deer should stick with RCMP for its policing services or move to a municipal police force.

A special meeting of council has been set for 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

On Dec. 3, council held another special meeting were they were provided with the policing review done by KPMG.

The review identified four considerations that may impact the options outlined in the report, such as changing environmental factors, a review of the Police Act, the recent unionization of the RCMP and changes in Police Governance Practices.

Another major consideration for council is an announcement by the UCP government late last year that it will explore through the Fair Deal Panel the potential for establishing a provincial police service.

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Currently, the City and RCMP work collaboratively to provide policing services in Red Deer. The Red Deer RCMP Detachment, under contract to the City, has budgeted for 171 members who perform core policing services.

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Another 100 City employees perform a range of duties, including traffic and bylaw enforcement, public services, policing support and records management, dispatch of non-emergency calls, and crime analytics.

The City’s current operating expenses for policing services in 2018 were approximately $36 million. Between April 2017 and March 2019, total RCMP costs borne by the City grew from $19.6 million to $24.7 million. Increases in the number of RCMP members are said to account for the largest portion of that increase.

It is estimated total ongoing operating costs for policing services would increase by approximately 17 per cent if the City moves to a municipal police force. One-time transition costs are estimated at $12 million, consisting of capital costs of $5.8 million and $6.2 million in operating costs, with the transition itself taking between two to four years. RCMP would require up to two years’ notice for contract termination.