View Royal Mayor David Screech is marshalling support to counteract a RCMP directive from Ottawa that handcuffs the role auxiliary members can perform.
Under this new RCMP directive, released earlier this year, auxiliary constables across Canada will no longer be allowed to accompany regular RCMP officers on ride alongs and will have other activities curtailed, including traffic control and bicycle patrols.
Screech is preparing a motion to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) to ask the RCMP to reconsider the restrictions. If it is approved by the AVICC, the plan is to forward it for consideration at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities annual convention in September.
B次元官网网址淲e will ask the province to work with us to allow them (auxiliary constables) to carry out their work as before. What bothers me most is that this was done without any consultation by Ottawa,B次元官网网址� Screech said. B次元官网网址淚t will affect us here on the West Shore and will have an even greater impact on smaller communities. They are an invaluable resource and visible presence in our communities and a great training source for potential officers,B次元官网网址� he added.
Auxiliary members, who are all volunteers, assist the West Shore RCMP with events and work that reduces the financial burden on the communities they police. View Royal, Langford and Colwood share the cost of operating the West Shore Detachment.
Screech cited Rock The Shores, an annual outdoor concert in Colwood, as a great example. B次元官网网址淭hey carried a large portion of the load. Having to pay for regular officers could have a major impact on the feasibility of that event.B次元官网网址�
Const. Cole Brewer, a former co-ordinator of the West Shore RCMPB次元官网网址檚 auxiliary constable program, said the review was initiated in the wake of the terrorist attack in Ottawa as well as the death of RCMP Const. David Winn and the wounding of Auxiliary Const. Derek Bond in Alberta last year.
B次元官网网址淚 know those incidents were taken very seriously,B次元官网网址� Brewer said. B次元官网网址淭he RCMP is ultimately responsible for ensuring the safety of our volunteers, especially those in uniform.B次元官网网址�
Lorne Fletcher, a 26-year veteran of the West Shore RCMP auxiliary constable program, said he believes the changes are a result of the RCMP looking out for the safety of its volunteers and being cognizant of the duties performed by volunteers.
Fletcher, manager of community safety and municipal enforcement for the City of Langford, said he has seen a number of significant changes to the program over the years.
He served when they carried firearms, a practice that was discontinued a number of years ago.
B次元官网网址淭he RCMP recognizes that the auxiliary constable program poses challenges and the demands are different than for volunteers in other programs,B次元官网网址� said Fletcher, the first auxiliary member in B.C. to ride in the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.
B次元官网网址淧art of the responsibility of being an auxiliary constable is acknowledging directives and decisions from the chain of command.B次元官网网址�
Coun. Lillian Szpak, chair of LangfordB次元官网网址檚 protective services committee, said the committee discussed the ramifications in detail at their last meeting on Feb. 23.
B次元官网网址淩ide alongs, traffic control and the bike patrols have been a boon to our community and we really regret the loss of those services,B次元官网网址� Szpak said.
B次元官网网址淭hey are all wonderful volunteers who make a real difference. Unfortunately we have no control, and the West Shore RCMP has no control over decisions from Ottawa.B次元官网网址�
reporter@newsgazette.com
