Stellarton and Westville look at long-term policing options
The towns of Stellarton and Westville have formed a committee to look into the best longterm options for their two police forces.
“The committee’s task will be to look into ways of increasing the level of cooperation between the two police services in order to maintain or improve service levels while controlling costs over the long term,” said Stellarton Mayor Danny MacGillivray during a press conference at Stellarton Town Hall on Thursday.
The two police services work closely together, sharing a police chief, dispatching duties, lock-up facilities and equipment, but as two separate forces. The agreement has been in place for approximately six years.
“This arrangement is working well for both towns, and has been for several years. We are happy with our current level of policing services,” said MacGillivray, but he noted that the town councils are responsible for the taxpayers’ dollar.
“Our task is to continually look for ways to maintain or improve service levels while practicing proper cost control.”
Westville Mayor Roger MacKay said policing costs are very high, amounting to one quarter of his town’s budget each year. He said $1.1 million is spent on policing in Westville annually. “So for a small town … it’s a big chunk of money and we’ve got to try to move forward and see how we can possibly can save each town money.”
Stellarton’s policing budget is $1.6 million for 2017-2018.
“Cost is always a concern, but it’s not the driving factor behind this, it’s more about long-term sustainability for both of our forces and what the best options are for our two towns,” said MacGillivray. “It’s not about saving a dollar today as much as it’s about planning for tomorrow.”
He said both municipal units see the existing policing partnership as something positive. “We believe now is the time to investigate ways to make this relationship even more beneficial for both towns.”
The committee will be comprised of police commission chairperson Don Taylor and town clerk Joyce Eaton for Stellarton, and police commission chairperson Dorothy lane Hale and CAO Kelly Rice for Westville, plus MacGillivray and MacKay as mayors of both towns.
MacGillivray said Stellarton and Westville police officers will be involved in the open and transparent process. He also said no significant structural change will take place without public consultations, and that no job losses are anticipated.
No firm timeline is associated with the committee’s work.
In 2013 Stellarton sought policing proposals from the Town of New Glasgow, the Town of Westville and the RCMP due to rising costs of maintaining its own force. It was later decided to keep the status quo, which consisted of Stellarton and Westville each keeping their own forces, but sharing a chief of police.
Westville has six full-time officers and one term position, while Stellarton has nine full-time officers and four term positions.
MacGillivray said the committee won’t be looking at sharing services with New Glasgow Regional Police, which also provides the service for the Town of Trenton. “That’s a step beyond what we’re taking now.”