The Province supports the recommendation in the independent mediator's report to maintain an amalgamated police department and board structure for policing in Victoria and Esquimalt and is taking steps to facilitate a stronger, more equitable relationship, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond announced.

The report, A Framework for Effectiveness, produced by independent mediator and human resources specialist Jean Greatbatch, makes a number of recommendations to help create an effective, sustainable relationship and new approach for the municipalities to work together.

The Province supports the recommended development of a framework agreement between the City of Victoria and the Township of Esquimalt and will immediately implement the following action plan:

The Province will appoint a facilitator to work with the parties to develop a framework agreement, to be completed by Oct. 31, 2012, and will provide other resources where needed. The framework agreement will be reviewed after three years by the director of police services, to ensure it provides:

• An effective service delivery model.
• An equitable funding formula.
• A transparent and accountable budgeting processes.
• Predictable conflict resolution.
• The Province will help the parties establish two new Community Advisory Committees (CACs) by Nov. 30, 2012, to receive ongoing input from both communities about policing and law enforcement issues to meet citizens' expectations. The CACs will regularly report to the police board.
• The Province will provide advanced training to police board members about their roles, responsibilities, and mandate in the context of the restructured amalgamated police service to be completed by Oct. 31, 2012 - to assist the board in working collaboratively and function with a shared vision.
• Upon successful completion of a workable framework agreement and community input mechanisms, the Province will facilitate changing the name of the board and the police department to the Victoria-Esquimalt Police Board and Victoria-Esquimalt Police Department, as recommended in the report.

Greatbatch also recommended the board have two co-chairs rather than a chair and vice-chair. This is among a number of issues that will be addressed as the parties develop the framework agreement, through a facilitated approach, so they can determine whether to incorporate additional recommendations or develop other options.

Quote:

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond -

"I want to ensure that policing in Esquimalt and Victoria is fair and effective for both parties. That's why we are taking specific steps to support them in creating a new framework for policing. I want to thank Jean Greatbatch for her careful consideration of the governance and funding issues that Victoria and Esquimalt have been dealing with. This report, and the earlier provincial audit, both support continued amalgamation but have offered some specific and valuable tools to help guide the future success of policing in these communities."

Quick Facts:

• In 2002, The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced the amalgamation of Victoria and Esquimalt Police forces. The official amalgamation occurred in 2003.
• In 2009 the Province conducted an audit, which was released in 2010 to ensure that both communities, Victoria and Esquimalt, continued to receive policing services to their satisfaction. The audit concluded that Victoria Police Department was providing effective service, but also recommended revising the service delivery model and governance structure. The audit also concluded that it was appropriate for Esquimalt to explore alternative service delivery options in line with the municipality's vision for policing the community.
• In July 2010, the Esquimalt Policing and Law Enforcement Advisory Panel, which was recommended in the audit, was formed with a mandate to research and report back on what was necessary for the township to provide policing and law enforcement.
• Esquimalt issued an RFP and received two proposals, one from Victoria and one from the RCMP. The Panel Report was submitted to the Police Services Division on June 29, 2011. The Province wrote to and met with Esquimalt officials asking for more information regarding contractual, budget and labour issues, which were absent from the report.
• In October 2011, the director of police services initiated a review, to be conducted by Jean Greatbatch, to attempt to resolve the outstanding issues of the current policing arrangement between Esquimalt and Victoria. The review focused on governance, decision-making regarding financing and methods for dispute resolution.

Learn More:

The report, A Framework for Effectiveness, is posted at: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/policeservices/shareddocs/report_on_victoria_esquimalt_policing.pdf

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961