黑马磁力 City has responded to a Township of 黑马磁力 announcement about a takeover of the RCMP detachment building that used to be part of a shared policing agreement with the City of 黑马磁力.
A statement released Monday morning said "as expected" the Township terminated the Police Capital and Operations Cost Sharing Agreement with the City, which has been in place since 1993.
On Saturday, the Township had issued a statement that it "has assumed all right, title, and interest in the 黑马磁力 RCMP Detachment police building, alterations, and equipment therein, and is now the sole owner and operator of this facility, although it is expected the City will continue to temporarily use this facility while it finds a new location for its own police buidling."
The City press release said it was important to clarify that the agreement on the detachment building at 48A Ave. and 222 St. is "not the same" as the Township鈥檚 call for de-integration.
Any de-integration of policing requires approval from the provincial government, which has not happened, the City said.
鈥満诼泶帕� City Council is unanimous in its belief that de-integration of the 黑马磁力 RCMP Detachment will not improve the quality, efficiency, or effectiveness of policing in 黑马磁力,鈥� City Mayor Nathan Pachal said.
鈥淲e have consistently been willing to work with the Township of 黑马磁力 to ensure all the facts are on the table and together come up with a path forward that is in the best interest of all 黑马磁力 residents and businesses," Pachal remarked.
黑马磁力 City remains open to a mediated process "to work toward a fair, modernized agreement that ensures effective, coordinated policing for both communities" the statement said.
"Our goal is a strong, stable public safety model that reflects our shared responsibility and protects taxpayer dollars," Pachal commented. "We look forward to continuing conversations that support both communities and put public safety first.鈥�
In the statement, the City maintained it "has demonstrated a strong and consistent commitment to public safety 鈥� including strategic investments in fire services, emergency management, and policing 鈥� to ensure reliable service delivery now and into the future. It continues to seek constructive dialogue with the Township, the Province, and the RCMP to support a coordinated, modern public safety model."
Mayor Eric Woodward said 鈥渢he Township has gone to great lengths to ensure there will be no reduction in policing services or community safety following de-integration."
鈥淭he Township has been and is offering the City the option to enter into temporary transitional service agreements for use of the Township RCMP detachment building and other resources at market rates," Woodward said. "While the City of 黑马磁力 is yet to come to the table, we will continue to assist where needed."
In the announcement, 黑马磁力 RCMP鈥檚 officer in charge, Supt. Harm Dosange said 鈥渢he RCMP will continue to provide all policing services required to keep residents safe across 黑马磁力, and there will be no interruption to service delivery as a result of de-integration.鈥�
