TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: July 20, 2026 Report No. SI-26-016
TO: Council
FROM: Judy Kitts, Director, Strategic Initiatives
SUBJECT: Update on Policing Services and Policing Models Analysis
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council receive Staff Report No. SI-26-016 "Update on Policing Services and Policing Models Analysis" for information and direct staff to include a comprehensive orientation and strategic discussion about policing early in the 2026-2030 term of Council, enabling decision making on future strategic direction for the Framework Agreement, regionalization opportunities, and exploration of alternative policing models.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report provides an update on the status of the Framework Agreement, which expires on December 31, 2026, and summarizes considerations related to an extension. It also shares the outcomes of Council's exploration of alternative policing models.
Since 2022, a significant amount of Council and staff effort has been devoted to the work related to policing in Esquimalt. The assessment of Esquimalt Police Department models identified significant operational, governance, and financial challenges that would need to be overcome. This information now informs Council decision-making about the next potential steps in assessing police service delivery for Esquimalt residents. Recent changes in leadership at VicPD and the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board have also created opportunities to resolve longstanding operational and governance challenges. New initiatives involving collaborative work on governance matters, Esquimalt-focused performance measures, and improvements to the budget process show some early promise.
Given these developments, staff believe that continuing to focus on extending the Framework Agreement, while advancing Council's long-term interest in regionalized policing and pursuing improvements within the existing service model, continues to represent a most pra...
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