Frustrated police planning

Photo: Colton Davies

Oliver council is feeling frustrated with a lack of solid dollar figures while trying to plan for a potentially hefty police bill after the next population census. 

The Ministry of Public Safety has identified Oliver as an "emerging municipality," addressing council Monday evening to walk them through how a population growth to over 5,000 will require the town to establish its own police service, or enter an agreement with the federal government for continued RCMP services. 

The provincial and federal government, in partnership, are responsible for policing rural areas and municipalities with fewer than 5,000 people. If Oliver, which is teetering on the edge, passes that threshold in the 2021 census, they will be forced either to start their own police service, or split the RCMP bill with the federal government 70 per cent to 30 per cent. 

"You guys are close, it's time to start planning, it's going to be a hefty bill that you're not used to," council was told by a representative of the ministry.

But exactly how hefty the bill will be could not be nailed down, much to the frustration of Oliver mayor Martin Johansen. Gayle Armstrong, who made the presentation from the ministry, told him every community is different, and until census numbers arrive in January 2022, they won't be able to provide an estimated cost, since every community is different. 

"The Town of Oliver is anticipating this and we're doing some tax increase associated with it, it would be nice to have just a soft number. That's what scares me, when I see such a variance in a cost to a municipality," Martin said, explaining it's hard to make an accurate plan to have money available when they don't know what they're aiming for. 

By law, the town will need to have their new police force or RCMP arrangement in place by April 1 following the census' release. 

"They're going to do the census in 2021 and the results won't be available, and we're expected to have our own police force in four months," Martin said. 

Armstrong suggested looking at communities that have previously opted for an RCMP cost share agreement, like nearby Osoyoos, and Fernie, and reaching out to them for details. Even then, however, the comparison isn't perfect. 

"Every community is different, their needs are different, their demographic is different," Armstrong said. "That's why we don't just calculate on a cop-to-pop ratio." 

Coun. Petra Veintimilla was also concerned about saving enough money, specifically for any large-scale investigations involving specialists that may need to happen in the event of a large crime or incident, which would not be covered in the 70-30 per cent agreement and would be the town's responsibility.

"Saving for a special event of some sort, is there a suggested number that we should be targeting to have in savings?" she asked. 

Again, Armstrong couldn't give a ballpark number. Armstrong said she will continue to try and work with the town to help guide their questions to other municipalities about the process, at the request of Martin. 

"It just really bothers me kind of just sitting around waiting," the mayor said.