The Victoria Police Department is requesting over $57 million for their 2019 budget from the City of Victoria and the Township of Esquimalt.
The total would fund updated operating costs, including continued work fighting cyber crime and adjusting to new policies, such as legalized cannabis. It would begin to pay for 11 requested additional officers and one civilian staff member, who could come in over the next three years.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important for our community to realize that theyB次元官网网址檙e growing, that their needs are more than ever and that policing is becoming more complex, and crime is becoming more complex,B次元官网网址� said Chief Const. Del Manak. B次元官网网址淚n addition, we havenB次元官网网址檛 had a staff increase since 2010B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 unrealistic, youB次元官网网址檝e got to grow your services with your community.B次元官网网址�
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In 2017 the VicPD requested funding for six additional officers, which was denied by Esquimalt twice.
Victoria Police took the request to the province for review. The province has the power to overpower the municipal decision, but an answer is not expected until spring 2019.
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Since then, police senior management identified that an additional five officers, and one civilian staff member would be necessary to meet growing community needs.
Four of these officers would be part of a new Community Response Team, which would focus on VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 downtown area.
B次元官网网址淭hey would help us respond to the growing need from the community where people feel that there is crime and victimization in and around our most vulnerable populations,B次元官网网址� Manak said. B次元官网网址淭he officers could be on foot, visible, and be responsive.B次元官网网址�
These new officers would be able to work in uniform and plainclothes, and potentially be involved in investigations surrounding local drug dealers and gangs.
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The fifth officer would work with EsquimaltB次元官网网址檚 traffic enforcement team where residents have been complaining of impaired or distracted drivers.
One civilian staff member would work as an information management analyst, who would be responsible for collecting, managing and mining data in the Victoria Police Department.
B次元官网网址淲e need a higher degree of transparency and timeliness for the public, media and community,B次元官网网址� Manak said. B次元官网网址淭he public donB次元官网网址檛 just donB次元官网网址檛 want that information quick, they want it accurate.B次元官网网址�
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VicPD has presented this budget in a joint meeting between the police board, Victoria City Council and Esquimalt Council, and will now proceed to make separate presentations to each municipality starting next week, with any final decisions coming place in early 2019.
When asked if he feels the budget will be rejected once again, Manak was uncertain.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hard to say; since the election thereB次元官网网址檚 been a change in council and councillors,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淧ublic safety is important; policing is an investment, and I think itB次元官网网址檚 important to recognize that the community feels safe and that residents and neighbours are feeling well supported.B次元官网网址�
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