TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: January 13, 2025 Report No. ADM-25-004
TO: Council
FROM: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Policing Project Update - January 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That report ADM-25-004 Policing Project Update - January 2025 be received for information, and that staff be directed to include project status updates to the Township website, the Council Priorities Plan, social media and other outlets including the Current newsletter.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Staff continues to support Council's exploration of a new policing model based on the establishment of an Esquimalt Police Department supported by specialized services provided by neighbouring police agencies.
The Township is currently operating under an extension to the Framework Agreement (in partnership with the City of Victoria and the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board), which expires at end of 2025 but is extendable until end of 2026. Project work supported by consultants has provided initial analysis for Council consideration, but significant detailed planning is still required. Negotiations with potential partners, such as Victoria Police, Saanich Police, and Westshore RCMP, are a critical first step to ensuring the feasibility and effectiveness of any new model. A progress update from staff is expected in Q2 2025 to inform Council's next steps.
BACKGROUND:
On February 27, 2024, Council considered a staff report entitled 'Policing Models Options Analysis and Way Ahead' (see Attachment 1 - Staff Report No. ADM-24-011). Council's decision at that stage was to continue exploring the establishment of an Esquimalt Police Department with contracted out specific services similar to other regional municipal community policing models.
The current project to explore a new way ahead for policing in Esquimalt began in the 2018-2022 term of Council. The Community Policing Engagement Strategy was delivered in June 2022. The findings of...
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