The largest municipality in Greater Victoria is moving closer to joining the IslandB次元官网网址檚 major crimes investigation team.
Saanich police are in talks to join the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit, Sgt. Dean Jantzen said last week.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e in discussions, and theyB次元官网网址檙e positive. Our intention is to move forward with a view to join in the near future,B次元官网网址� Jantzen said.
Details of the agreement are still being ironed out, and the final say rests in the hands of the Saanich police board. Considerations include how many officers Saanich would contribute to the squad and what kind of financial commitment they would make.
ItB次元官网网址檚 a shift in outlook for the department, which has to this point chosen to handle homicide investigations in Saanich on its own, but Jantzen said itB次元官网网址檚 more of an evolution than anything.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 been no dramatic change in philosophy ... WeB次元官网网址檝e reviewed this on a yearly basis since (the unitB次元官网网址檚) inception,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e now believe the factors exist where there is a net benefit to our community.B次元官网网址�
Oak Bay police are also involved in the discussions, as they currently have an agreement in place which sees Saanich cops investigating major crimes in that municipality.
Eighteen officers currently make up the integrated unit. Six come from Victoria, two from the West Shore RCMP, and the remaining 10 are from various Island RCMP detachments.
Jantzen added that the decision doesnB次元官网网址檛 have any connection to talk of a regional police force, something which Victoria police are advocating in a strategic plan unveiled last week, and to which Saanich remains opposed.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not linked to any one incident, or any initiative on behalf of government or any other organization,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e review integrated opportunities as they come up all the time. We consider them at face value.B次元官网网址�
There is no timeline for when the potential partnership could be formalized, but B次元官网网址渄iscussions are fruitful and weB次元官网网址檙e working towards it sooner rather than later,B次元官网网址� Jantzen added.
