Victoria police taken by surprise

Esquimalt is B次元官网网址渆xploring its optionsB次元官网网址� for policing, the townshipB次元官网网址檚 mayor says.

B次元官网网址淚t is about an opportunity to review and see what alternative service provision could be provided, at what cost,B次元官网网址� Barb Desjardins said at a press conference Friday.

On Thursday, Esquimalt issued a request for proposals on a policing model for the township to Victoria police, Saanich police and RCMP E division.

Esquimalt has been policed by VicPD since 2003 after its own force amalgamated with VictoriaB次元官网网址檚.

In 2009, the police services branch of the Solicitor GeneralB次元官网网址檚 Ministry audited EsquimaltB次元官网网址檚 contract with VicPD. It found the level of service good, but also gave the township leeway to explore other policing options.

A law enforcement advisory board formed in August last year to help provide direction for policing the community. Esquimalt spent $45,000 on the task in 2010.

Desjardins said Esquimalt residents like some aspects of the current policing model, but are looking for changes.

In forums and open houses, residents communicated a desire for a community-based policing models with more officers on foot patrol and a police department building open 24-7 in Esquimalt.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not to say what weB次元官网网址檝e got isnB次元官网网址檛 good, itB次元官网网址檚 to say, B次元官网网址業s there something better?B次元官网网址� ... and thatB次元官网网址檚 what weB次元官网网址檙e asking with the RFP,B次元官网网址� Desjardins said.

Victoria police deputy chief John Ducker said VicPD was surprised by the RFP. He added Esquimalt already gets the best level of policing it could ask for.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a mistake to overly prioritize issues around community policing,B次元官网网址� said Ducker, who has lived in Esquimalt for 40 years. B次元官网网址淭hey are getting the best service that can be provided to any community.

B次元官网网址淚 am a little concerned (the provincial government) would not have put more effort into the negotiations between Esquimalt and VicPD. We could have worked out our problems in eight years.B次元官网网址�

It is up to VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 and SaanichB次元官网网址檚 police boards to decide whether they will submit a proposal.

Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin said itB次元官网网址檚 too early to say whether the police board would submit a proposal. Board members are still examining the RFP.

Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard said his police board would make that decision next week.

Cpl. Darren Lagan with the RCMP E division said its operational strategies branch will prepare a submission for policing Esquimalt.

Esquimalt is seeking a 10-year contract with a five-year renewal option.

The township currently pays about 15 per cent of VicPDB次元官网网址檚 $42-million budget.

A shortened, 15-page version of the 300-plus page RFP is available at www.esquimalt.ca/publicSafety/policeDepartment/policeBoard.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com