Kelowna will not see a significant reduction in crime without a propped up RCMP force.

That's the conclusion of the much anticipated Prosser Report on RCMP staffing levels.

Currently, the Kelowna RCMP Detachment has a strength of approximately 148 officers.

The report, prepared by Robert Prosser and Associates, recommends a net staff increase of 15.25 based on achieving three criteria.
•A 25 per cent reduction in calls-for-service
•Officers having 25 per cent of their time available for pro-active crime prevention activities
•A target of 70.5 Criminal Code and Drug Offences per 1,000 population

A number of policing agencies across Western Canada were interviewed and analyzed in order to establish a 'baseline' for the report.

Research showed that, while Kelowna's crime rate inched upward slightly (0.4%) between 2000 and 2009, other communities used for the study were able to reduce crime between 13.9% and 31.6% over the same 10 year period.

In 2009, Kelowna's Criminal Code and Drug Offence rate was 128.1 per 1,000 population.

The report point suggests proactive crime prevention strategies helped those communities reduce crime.

It further stated similar levels of crime reduction may be difficult to achieve given the large influx of tourists in Kelowna during the summer. It further states Kelowna's population grew faster than the other communities during the same time period.

"The report now provides the city and the RCMP with strong, relevant data to develop a Police Services Strategic Plan and Local Crime Reduction Strategy that meet the needs of our citizens," says Corporate Sustainability General Manager, Paul Macklem..

City Council approved the hiring of four new RCMP supervisors and a Crime Analyst during preliminary 2012 budget deliberations earlier this month.

Since 2000, 35 RCMP positions and 12 municipal support staff have been added by various City Councils.

RCMP Superintendent, Bill McKinnon refused to comment specifically on the report until it is presented and debated in Council Chambers Monday.

McKinnon did say he and members of the detachment appreciated the opportunity to provide input into the analysis.

"Kelowna City Detachment looks forward to working with the City of Kelowna staff on the development of a plan to address the staffing requirements before Kelowna City Council over the next few months," says McKinnon.

Macklem anticipates such a strategy will be ready for Council's consideration prior to final budget in May.

"While the city and RCMP were aware that police services were under-resourced, we now know the full extent of the challenge before us," added Macklem.

"The report also recommends going up-stream (crime prevention) to stop people from falling into the stream in the first place which, in the long run, reduces crime, triggering fewer staffing requirements."

In addition to staffing, the Prosser Report also suggests there are some inequities in cross-charge support cost formulas with West Kelowna and Lake Country that need to be addressed.

It further states the city needs to consult with RCMP "E" Division to develop a policy around an unfunded liability of about $3M attributable to accrued vacation and overtime.

The cost of one RCMP officer is $152,000 of which the city picks up $139,000 (90% of total cost).

It would cost the city an additional $2.11M per year to get to the level recommended in the Prosser Report immediately.