"Let cooler heads prevail" in police merger issue says BCPA
VANCOUVER, June 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Vancouver, June 22, 2012 - The BC Police Association, (BCPA), stands with the "measured approach" being taken by Solicitor General Shirley Bond in the ongoing uncertainty over the future of policing in Victoria and Esquimalt according to BCPA President Tom Stamatakis.
"We know there are a range of views in those two communities, and while we support continuing a shared local policing agreement, rather than turning to the RCMP, we recognize that Esquimalt has legitimate concerns that should be addressed," says Stamatakis.
"We are not concerned that the Solicitor General is taking her time to get this right; it's an issue where cooler, thoughtful heads need to prevail," he adds.
"It is definitely not helpful to see the former Solgen, Kash Heed, stirring the political pot on the merger issue from his perch on the backbenches, particularly when he was not noted for being a fan of public consultation when he was Solicitor General," notes Stamatakis.
"A measured approach is important for many reasons, not least of which is that the jobs of some of the hard-working men and women on the Victoria police service could be at stake, depending on the outcome of this issue," Stamatakis warns.
"I know for a fact that the people the BCPA represents in Victoria and Esquimalt are doing their very best to provide the citizens of those communities with exemplary police service," Stamatakis concludes.
The British Columbia Police Association represents approximately 2,700 members of the province's 11 municipal police services and the South Coast BC Transit Association police service.
Tom Stamatakis 604-312-7737
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