West Kelowna Calls for Clarity on RCMP’s De-Regionalization Plan

The City of West Kelowna is seeking clarity regarding the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) recent decision to implement a de-regionalization process affecting the Central Okanagan area. Following the departure of the former Kelowna RCMP officer, the absence of a replacement has left the three communities—Kelowna, West Kelowna/Peachland, and Lake Country—without centralized leadership. The RCMP has opted to establish smaller units for each city instead.

As the summer progressed, both Kelowna and West Kelowna announced significant changes in their policing structures. However, West Kelowna has yet to fill its leadership position, which has raised concerns about the operational effectiveness of local policing. Each city now has a dedicated media relations officer, but West Kelowna is particularly vocal about the lack of a comprehensive plan from the RCMP and the provincial government.

West Kelowna is calling for a clear financial and operational strategy, emphasizing the necessity to fund an additional seven to eight provincial officers to address a significant shortfall in policing resources. Since the de-regionalization process began in 2024, the city claims it has not been provided with adequate information regarding the implications for policing, leading to uncertainty about resource allocation and the potential costs associated with these changes.

In a press release issued on September 12, 2024, the city stated, “the lack of a clear plan is unacceptable.” This sentiment reflects growing anxiety over how these changes will affect local taxpayers. The statement further noted, “The City of West Kelowna will always cover its fair share of costs of policing West Kelowna, but the financial implications from this service model change are not clear and must be considered by Mayor and Council.”

The city has long requested increased police presence in the region, but it continues to face a shortfall that local governments have been subsidizing. “City staff have repeatedly written to the RCMP to request a formal proposal—but they haven’t provided that,” the press release emphasized.

On September 16, 2024, city staff will present a report to the West Kelowna Council, detailing their concerns about the de-regionalization. Additionally, at the end of the month, city officials will have the opportunity to meet with the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Nina Krieger, during the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) conference. This meeting will provide a platform for West Kelowna to urge the provincial government to become more involved in addressing these policing challenges.

As the situation unfolds, the City of West Kelowna remains committed to ensuring that its community receives the necessary resources to maintain effective policing and public safety. The city’s leadership underscores the importance of collaboration between local and provincial authorities to achieve a viable solution to the ongoing issues stemming from the RCMP’s restructuring.