Question: "What are your thoughts on municipal policing? It is just something that has come up in my circles as a topic of discussion.
Earl Porter's Answer:
The RCMP charges the City well over $2 million per year. There are around 25 members in Portage. The problem is we are a training centre for Junior officers and after a year or 2 they are transferred out. It is a revolving door. By doing this we never have any continuity in our force and our people who really get familiar with our situation. On the other hand starting a Municipal force like Morden, Winkler, or Brandon is very expensive.
The City has talked to Brandon Police about training and it is also very expensive. The RCMP have their own agenda and can refuse to enforce a City Bylaw like the curfew. A Municipal force would take direction form the City and address problems we request. There is good and bad on both sides of the equation.
I do not think for financial reasons this is the time to change our present situation. Perhaps with the RCMP Inspector that is here currently, will be more approachable than our past ones. He seems to walk the walk
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