The Township of Esquimalt has hired Perivale + Taylor Consulting to put forward options for policing in the municipality.
In August, Esquimalt council voted to not renew the policing framework agreement with Victoria, which is the agreement for the two municipalities to be policed by the Victoria Police Department.
READ MORE: Esquimalt council votes to end VicPD police agreement
Now the township has tasked Perivale + Taylor Consulting to come up with one or more options for police service delivery models with a budget of $140,000.
The firm has a deadline of June 1, 2023 to complete the project, including a request for approval for final consideration by the Ministry of Public Safety.
The policing framework agreement with Victoria expires on Dec. 31, 2023.
Before the proposal or proposals are sent to the ministry, residents and businesses will have a chance to view and comment.
The township is also in the process of building a new Public Safety Building, which is slated to be completed in 2024. The building will house police services, the township’s emergency program and fire rescue services. Other municipal and Capital Regional District offices will also use the space.
Perivale + Taylor, which has offices in Victoria and Vancouver, has undertaken similar reviews of police services in Canada, most recently launching a review of services required in three communities around Moncton, N.B.
Laura Brougham
