Province Grants Approval for an Autonomous RCMP Detachment in Pitt Meadows

File Number
2021-27

PITT MEADOWS, BC – After three years of extensive review, research and consultation, the Province of BC has granted approval for the City of Pitt Meadows to establish an autonomous RCMP detachment.  

“Enhancing public safety is the single most important legacy that this Council has been striving to achieve for our community,” says Mayor Bill Dingwall. “This favourable decision by the Province of BC means our residents will have enhanced police visibility, improved public safety, a faster police response and the ability to achieve a policing model tailored for Pitt Meadows. This is an exciting and historic time for our community. The site of the new detachment is of historic significance given it was the site of BC Police operations dating back to 1914.”

In June 2019, the City of Pitt Meadows embarked on a review of the integrated Ridge Meadows RCMP Detachment. The review included reports from a variety of independent consultants that explored the existing RCMP structure and operations with the goal of enhancing service levels and police response times, prioritizing local needs, bolstering community confidence regarding public safety, and providing a better return on investment.

The City has engaged in discussions with all rights holders and stakeholders including the Katzie First Nation, MP Marc Dalton, MLA Lisa Beare and the Province of BC, the RCMP and the National Police Federation (union). Discussions have been collegial and supportive—with all sharing the common goal of enhancing public safety. The City has undertaken extensive community consultation that included an online survey, Engagement and Priority Committee meetings and special Council meetings. In addition, the City conducted an Alternative Approval Process that resulted in only 1.4 percent of the community opposed to the removal of a 10-metre parcel of parkland, allowing the new detachment in this location.

“An autonomous RCMP detachment will result in a significantly higher number of local RCMP directly serving our community and prioritizing our needs,” says Mayor Bill Dingwall. One Staff Sergeant Commander and an additional 22 members will always be based in Pitt Meadows, increasing the number of officers per shift from two to five. As well, nine support positions will directly report to the City creating synergies and improved communication with City leadership. The new detachment will continue to have full access to Lower Mainland District Units, which include the Lower Mainland Integrated Teams: Emergency Response Team (IERT), Integrated Collision Analysis Reconstruction Service (ICARS), Integrated Forensic Identification Services (IFIS), Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) and Integrated Police Dog Service (IPDS).     

“The City will achieve a new autonomous detachment, including a new police services building, without a property tax increase while at the same time attaining a superior service delivery model and higher return-on-investment,” says Chief Administrative Officer Mark Roberts. “Currently, the City pays $250,000 per year for a building we do not own, as well as pays an additional $45,000 administrative fee to the City of Maple Ridge. This new model enables us to fully realize officer and staff support and financial efficiencies that reflect significantly better service delivery goals.”

“Pitt Meadows Council continues to unanimously support the RCMP and recognize the challenging mandate they have in keeping all of us safe,” says Mayor Bill Dingwall. “On behalf of Council, I wish to thank our community for their support and confidence.”

This de-integration is the first of its kind in British Columbia. It reflects the responsiveness of the RCMP and the Province of BC and demonstrates an appreciation for local government priorities related to public safety.

City staff will immediately begin the transition that will span several years. More information will be shared when it becomes available. To find out more visit pittmeadows.ca/rcmp.

Quotes:

Grace George, Chief, Katzie First Nation

“Katzie currently has service agreements in place and we pay the City of Pitt Meadows for water, sewer and fire services. Our staff work closely with the City of Pitt Meadows staff on issues such as diking, bylaws, cultural preservation, land restoration, and planning. Our Nation has land that stretches across many communities including Maple Ridge, however our community living parcels are within Langley, Surrey (Barnston Island), and Pitt Meadows. Our Council believes that a detachment in Pitt Meadows will enhance public safety for our community and we are grateful for our continued partnership.” 

Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows and Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Province of BC

"This is great news after so much collaboration between people in the community and local leaders. Public safety is a top priority of our government, and this new detachment will provide the opportunity not only for our community to enhance its relationship, through more direct access, with our police unit, but also for the police to strengthen their understanding of the specific needs of our community.”

Marc Dalton, MP for Pitt Meadows Maple Ridge, Government of Canada

“Pitt Meadows is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes increased needs for police services and response times. With this new RCMP detachment, the people of Pitt Meadows will have the comfort of knowing that timely police assistance will be available when they need it.”

Mike Morden, Mayor, City of Maple Ridge

“Maple Ridge Council fully supports the City of Pitt Meadows with the establishment of their own RCMP Detachment. Communities need to set and determine service priorities and levels required to meet the unique needs of the community in order to deliver excellence in public safety. We sincerely appreciate the collaboration as we work together with OIC Mehat, E-Division; police services at the Province of BC, to support Pitt Meadows attain their community goals.”

Maureen Levy, Assistant Commissioner RCMP E-Division

“The Police Act provides service delivery options for municipalities responsible for providing policing inside their municipal boundaries. In this case, the province has approved Pitt Meadows’s request to create a standalone detachment. The BC RCMP is pleased to continue to provide policing services to the City of Pitt Meadows and City of Maple Ridge.”

Wendy Mehat, Superintendent, Ridge Meadows RCMP

“I want to assure residents that there will be no change in the level of service delivery for Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows. Our priority is and will remain public safety throughout every aspect of this de-integration plan.”

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For more information please contact:
Carolyn Baldridge,
Manager of Communications & Community Engagement
City of Pitt Meadows
cbaldridge@pittmeadows.ca