Burnaby’s mayor says his city is working with others to determine their policing options and possibly move away from using the RCMP.
Derek Corrigan says they all want to be on the same page when it comes to what the costs are.
But the various cities may take different options.
“In the case of Richmond they may be looking for an amalgamation with police departments around them we are looking at whether to have our own police department or merge with New Westminster or whether some other option would be good. In North Van and North Van district they are probably looking at whether they should merge with West Van. They are looking in Port Coquitlam to whether or not they will have their own RCMP detachment.”
Corrigan was asked if using Vancouver police is an option.
“It would be extremely difficult to merge with Vancouver. Anytime you get engaged with Vancouver resources get sucked into the black hole you know and being the junior partner in that relationship would be contra-indicated for Burnaby to get a fair shake as a result it is kind of more interesting to be engaged with New Westminster.”
Corrigan says using New Westminster police is an interesting option.
“Who are a smaller police department where policing is a very expensive part of their budget and where there may be a potential for both of us to be successful in growing their department out.”
Mayors have a two year opt out clause in the new RCMP contract.
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