Residents interested in policing issues in Esquimalt can attend an upcoming meeting of the Esquimalt policing and law enforcement advisory panel.

A portion of the panel meetings have been open to the public since March, as directed by township council.

The five-member panel, including Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins, submitted a report outlining the municipality's desire to contract policing  services with the RCMP, rather than stay with the Victoria Police Department. That decision was based on a request-for-proposal process.

Minister of Justice Shirley Bond recently indicated she will on the Esquimalt policing issue.

The next panel meeting is Wednesday (July 4) at 5 p.m. in council chambers at the municipal hall, 1229 Esquimalt Rd. For details, call 250-414-7100 or visit www.esquimalt.ca.

emccracken@vicnews.com