The City of Moncton will ask a consultant to do a public safety policing study at a cost of roughly $250,000.
City council has unanimously approved a request for proposals process.
The study will compare and contrast retaining the RCMP or adopting a municipal force for the tri-communities.
The move was prompted by a significant increase in salaries and benefits for RCMP members which was recently negotiated between the force and the federal government.
The City of Moncton had no say in the collective bargaining process and had to respect the results.
Moncton director of strategic initiatives Claude Despres told Council that Codiac RCMP and “J” Division in Fredericton were advised.
“I think it was important to let the members know that they will be continuing to police us throughout this study. This is obviously not a reflection on them or the work that they’re providing,” noted Despres.
Councillor Bryan Butler felt the City should have been more specific when it recently notified RCMP.
“If we’re sending a letter, we should be explaining the reasons why we’re having a police study. It’s not because we’re happy. If we were happy with everything going on, we wouldn’t be having a police study.”
The request for proposals process is expected to wrap up in late May and the study could be ready by this fall.
The City of Dieppe and the Town of Riverview are also participating and will be contributing to the cost.
