Do you think a single North Shore police force would benefit the residents of North and West Vancouver?

North Vancouver City and District share one RCMP detachment but have slightly differing levels of police resource allocation based on different budgeting and priorities. Having two councils and a regional district commander requires the local superintendent to be adept in delivering a responsive policing model.

West Vancouver, Port Moody, Delta, Abbotsford and Vancouver have their own local police and review boards. The advantages of civilian oversight of local policing are significant, especially in providing meaningful response to high profile and controversial incidents. The RCMP has formal processes for reviewing members’ conduct, but there is less direct local accountability to elected officials.

The two North Vancouvers demonstrate that sharing a police force and the concomitant overhead can work well, however West Vancouver citizens traditionally experience higher levels of policing than other communities. The RCMP provides a superb national training program, pool of qualified resources, and a federal subsidy.

Given the natural boundaries of the North Shore, however, one police force makes a lot of sense. Responding to organized crime requires an integrated approach and shared resources surely would be more effective. The North Shore Policing Report will be reviewed by all Councils this October and will address these issues.