News release
For immediate release
ESQUIMALT, B.C.—Esquimalt council has voted down supplemental budget requests from VicPD for the 2022 budget. The township is in the midst of the budget process and is evaluating departmental requests for additional funds.
Esquimalt council has declined requests for additional funding to support specific sworn officer and civilian roles with the exception of funding for restorative justice.
In late 2020, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General held a review of the budget allocation formula for policing in the Township of Esquimalt and the City of Victoria. The report looked at available data—including figures from VicPD—and determined that the portion of VicPD’s budget Esquimalt was responsible for—14.7 per cent—did not align with the demand for policing services in Esquimalt.
The review cited Esquimalt’s declining calls for service and low crime rate as part of the data considered. In essence, the report stated that the municipality was paying a disproportionately high amount relative to the actual demand for services. It’s important to note that per legislation, the township does not make operational decisions about how the budget is used within the department.
“We made further budget decisions this year—including the supplemental requests—that we believe are more in line with our use of resources from VicPD”, said Mayor Barbara Desjardins. “For instance, we know that overtime and other costs are increasing due to the number of protests we’re seeing downtown. While police presence is important for these types of events, Esquimalt should not be the only municipality in the region contributing to these costs simply because VicPD provides policing in our township.”
The township paid $8.4M for policing in 2021, or approximately $479 per capita. As a result of recommendations in the Ministry’s report, the township’s budget allocation was reduced from 14.7 to 13.67 per cent this year. However, this leaves 22 per cent of the township’s spending earmarked for policing services in the 2022 budget.
“Public safety is top of mind, as is appropriate spending for our services. Our goal is to be adequately policed while fiscally responsible to our residents and businesses,” the mayor stated.
This decision comes as the current Police Framework Agreement, which governs the Victoria and Esquimalt amalgamated service delivery, nears its expiry and the township is approaching the renewal deadline this July. Staff will be reaching out to the Esquimalt community over the next two months to help determine the level of satisfaction with the current combined policing model.
More information
- REPORT: Police Act Section 42 Review Budget Allocation Formula For Policing In The City Of Victoria And The Township Of Esquimalt
- REPORT: Police Act Section 42 Phase II Review: Analysis Of “Framework Agreement” Issues Regarding Policing In The City Of Victoria And The Township Of Esquimalt
- 2014 Policing Framework Agreement
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Contact
Tara Zajac, Manager of Communications
[email protected]
250-414-7122