NDP government demands Victoria & Esquimalt allow VicPD to expand ranks

The province has waded into the municipal dispute over increasing the ranks at the Victoria Police Department.

The NDP government is ordering Victoria and Esquimalt to hire six new members.

In the letter dated Wednesday February 27, Tonia Enger, BC's Acting Assistant Deputy Minister & Director of Police Services says, "In my view, such work is not a 'nice to have' but in fact a necessity."

Enger also states: "There has not been a permanent increase in the VicPD's authorized strength since 2010."

To read the full letter, click here: Letter to Hire

In 2017, a request by VicPD Chief Constable Del Manak for an additional $40,000+ in funding, was denied twice by Esquimalt council.

On the CFAX 1070 morning show Thursday, Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps says Esquimalt does need a framework agreement to be adhered to, and dedicated resources.

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps & Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins co-chair the police board.

Victoria is responsible for 85 per cent of the VicPD budget.

Chief Constable Del Manak's response to the hiring freeze last year, was to shuffle six community positions,  including three school liason officers - to front line duties.

Victoria's annual budget plan for 2019 , includes hiring more than 34 full-time additional city staff at a cost of about $3.5-million.

Chief Constable Del Manak is asking for budget increase of approximately six percent on the departments current nearly $54-million annual budget.

Manak has warned that forcing him to crunch numbers, would force him to ax the equivalent of nine positions.