B.C. RCMP contract up for discussion on civil liberties tour

The executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association is advocating that B.C.’s solicitor general not renew the province’s contract with the RCMP for providing police services when it comes up for renewal in 2012.

“I think the reality is that if the province wants to grow up, in terms of independence from a central government, than having control of our own police department is probably a good investment,” David Eby said by phone.

Eby said the issue of the RCMP contract will be featured in discussions the BCCLA will initiate on a tour of various communities in the province later this summer, “so that we can truly be the B.C. Civil Liberties Association”.

Part of the reason for this is, according to Eby, because there is “no transparency” in negotiations between the RCMP and the solicitor general’s office in B.C.

“We’re going to be inviting people to provide their thoughts on the policing services that they receive in their community, so that we can provide that feedback back to the solicitor general’s office and to the RCMP, so that can be negotiated into the contract negotiations,” Eby said.

Eby argued that, while the provincial government in B.C. is of the opinion it is cheaper to contract out policing than to provide the services itself, “there is a reason why it is cheaper”.

“The reason is that the provincial government is ceding control over policing to the federal government,” he said. “When you pay less, there is a reason why Ottawa wants it. Ottawa wants to maintain control as much as possible.”

The BCCLA talks around B.C. kick off in late August.

Comments

8 Comments

Agreed

Jun 18, 2010 at 11:57am

The RCMP has demonstrated through its actions and subsequent attempts at cover-up that they do not serve the best interests of British Columbians. We can do a lot better especially when we are paying for it!

equeisity

Jun 18, 2010 at 6:27pm

Be careful what you wish for.

Dissolving the RCMP under this time line gives us two years to have another service set up and ready to go in its place - or else the majority of BC communities will be without any police whatsoever.

And guess who would like that?

Conservative

Jun 19, 2010 at 1:36am

To suggest that the province not renew the RCMP contract is just silly. We are short-staffed as it is and the RCMP already polices 80% of this this province. There is no way that the RCMP contract won't be renewed. If anything, the Mounties have all the bargaining chips in this; the province simply can't afford to lose them.

The costs of creating a provincial police service are too great. It will never happen. Not in this generation at least.

David Eby has no idea what he is talking about.

Remember that RCMP E-Division headquarters being built in Surrey? And that major recruiting drive they had last year for BC alone? Oh and that training facility they have in Chilliwack? The RCMP in BC are here to stay. Period. The real issue is how to make them more accountable to the province of BC, not whether we should keep them.

Angrygranny

Jun 19, 2010 at 11:56am

For decades, the RCMP, investigated the wrong doings, from their own detachments. They lied and covered up for each other, resentment among the citizens grew. The officer, who wanted to do good police work, was obliged to cover up for the bad cop. If they didn't, their lives were made hell, by the entire detachment. They, should first, police themselves individually, the choice to be a good cop or a bad cop is theirs. It isn't fair to the good officer, to be tarred with the same brush, as the bad officer. Why could not the bad officers be purged, and keep the good officers, who want to do good and honest police work? The RCMP Officers, with a bad complaint record, are the ones that should be let go.

Birdy

Jun 20, 2010 at 9:38am

Love the sentiment, but if this ever went through, knowing this government, we'd end up with private Blackwater police.

Bo

Nov 1, 2010 at 5:24pm

It's time to scrap this force, it is indeed the "Walmart" of policing, as once described by Mr.Eby, you get what you pay for. Stop thinking about saving money, and think about saving lives. Nuff said.

retired

Mar 30, 2011 at 12:49pm

Scrap the criminal RCMP. As far as the "good" members go, there aren't any UNLESS they actively pursue getting rid of the bad cops. If the so called good cops don't do anything then they are complicit and just as guilty.

darcy

Sep 4, 2011 at 7:06pm

the rcmp have to be honest with themselves. do you want to be small community police force, or federal police branch with areas of expertise? Your not doing this country anygood with the way your operating this many agencys with accountability. people dont have to hate the rcmp they just want it accountable. are you letting petty officiers ruine the force?