The original purpose of the Police Transition Select Committee was to facilitate the transition from the provincial government providing the majority of the Town’s policing to the Town being responsible for covering 70% of its policing costs.
However, as the 2021 Census showed that Gibsons had not surpassed a population of 5,000 (which would have triggered the change) this shift did not occur in spring 2022 as expected.
While the Town’s policing model is expected to remain as is until spring 2026 (when the next census results will be released), Council and the Committee Members have expressed interest in continuing with the Committee in a revised form.
The purpose of the revamped Police Select Committee is to be a resource and provide advice on public safety and policing matters by making recommendations to Council regarding community needs and requirements for policing, as well as the promotion of a good working relationship with stakeholders.
The Committee will seek public and stakeholder input, consultation and feedback in order to assist in the identification of community, government/agency needs and requirements for the area and to participate in any public meetings that are required.
Read the complete “Terms of Reference” for the Police Select Committee here.
Committee Members Sought – July 2022
The Town is currently seeking community members to join the Police Select Committee.
The Committee shall meet four times per year at the dates and times determined by the Committee.
Members of the Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Council and with a term of approximately two years, ending December 31st of the second year of their term. Committee members may be reappointed for an additional term or terms.
Interested parties are asked to submit a cover letter and resume by email to: clerk@gibsons.ca by Monday, July 18, 2022 at 4pm.
Police Services Select Committee/Police – Fall 2019 to February 2022
When the Town of Gibsons’ population exceeds 5,000 people, then the Town will be required to start paying 70% of its policing costs (compared to the 30% we currently pay). Learn more about the Police Services Tax here.
The Town has been preparing for this transition since 2019, when it established a Police Services Select Committee to provide an overview of the history of police services in Gibsons, identify issues and actions to improve the level of policing services in Gibsons, and discuss options for policing the Town of Gibsons.
On December 17, 2019, Council received the “Police Services Select Committee Final Report” which recommended that the Town opt for an agreement for RCMP policing, but with a contract that spells out specific service levels.
The Town has also established a Police Services Reserve Fund, to help mitigate the large increase in policing costs that will occur when the Town reached a population of 5,000 people.
On December 21, 2021, Council resolved to establish the Police Transition Select (PTS) Committee in anticipation of the Town’s population crossing the 5,000 person threshold. Read the related Staff Report here.
The purpose of the PTS Committee is to facilitate the transition from the provincial government providing policing, to the Town of Gibsons being responsible for providing policing within Town boundaries.
This role will assist with the implementation of the police transition plan, including police service levels, police costs and the promotion of good working relationships with stakeholders.
The PTS Committee will be comprised of the Mayor (who will serve as the Chair of the Committee), Councillor Lumley, and between three and five community members, who will be appointed for their knowledge of policing issues.
The PTS Committee expects to gather at 3pm on the second Wednesday of each month, and expects to complete its work prior to September 30, 2022.
On January 18, 2022, the PTS Committee held its first meeting, where it reviewed the Committee’s Terms of Reference and discussed filling two vacancies. The Committee also reviewed recent correspondence from the RCMP and the Province of BC regarding the anticipated “Police Information Package” which will outline the Town’s responsibilities under the Police Act. The final version of the packages has been delayed as a result of the new Collective Agreement for the RCMP. Read the minutes from the January 18, 2022 meeting here.
On February 9, 2022, Statistics Canada stated that the population count for Gibsons, BC on Census Day was 4,758. As a result, the Town will not have to begin covering 70% of its policing costs for at least five more years (the next Census results will be released in 2027).
Read the minutes from the February 10, 2022 meeting here.
