The Province has asked the Esquimalt Policing and Law Enforcement Advisory Panel to address outstanding issues in its future policing plan that was submitted to the Province at the end of June.

The plan requires further significant, detailed information concerning human resources, labour relations, financial, contractual and other issues before it can be considered further. The panel was established as a result of an audit conducted by the Province last year. The audit looked into standards and service delivery of policing in Esquimalt and Victoria. The panel was asked to submit a report recommending policing options for Esquimalt.

In the meantime, following recent discussions between the ministry, Victoria and Esquimalt, the director of Police Services is initiating a review under Section 42 of the Police Act to address ongoing governance and financing concerns, raised by both parties, in the current policing arrangement.

Jean Greatbatch, Certified Human Resources Professional, will conduct the review and prepare a report with recommendations to be submitted to Police Services Division by Jan. 30, 2012. Following analysis and in accordance with the Province's freedom of information legislation, the final report will be made public.

The review will focus on the following issues:

a) Governance issues and structure.

b) Decision making processes regarding financing.

c) Methods for dispute resolution.

d) Other issues that affect the ability of the board to work effectively.

During this time, the citizens of Esquimalt and Victoria will continue to be served by the Victoria Police Department.

The Terms of Reference follow in a backgrounder.

Contact:

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Media Relations
250 356-6961

BACKGROUNDER

Oct. 14, 2011 Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Terms of Reference

I. Overview

Under Police Act Section 42 (1) "the director [of Police Services], may under the director's own initiative or on request of a council or board, study, investigate and prepare a report on matters concerning law enforcement and crime prevention in British Columbia or in a designated are of British Columbia."

II. Framework

As per Section 42, the Director of Police Services, will conduct a study into issues pertaining to the policing of The City of Victoria (Victoria) and The Township of Esquimalt (Esquimalt).

The study will look at the following issues:

• Governance issues and structure

• Decision making processes regarding financing

• Methods for dispute resolution

• Other issues that affect the ability of the Board to work effectively

III. Process:

Police Services will hire a third party to investigate any challenges regarding the issues outlined in Section II above with respect to Victoria and Esquimalt and will, in the course of this investigation, look for mutual solutions and make recommendations.

Solutions and recommendations cannot contradict any provisions in the Police Act, or any other provincial or federal statute.

IV. Report

A report will be submitted to the director of Police Services by Jan. 30, 2012. The report will include:

• Identification of the issues (outlined in the Section II above)

• Analysis of such issues

• Solutions and recommendations

Contact:

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Media Relations
250 356-6961