As police are now investigating the fourth homicide in Prince George during 2020, city council will be discussing sending a letter regarding the establishment of a funding formula for a Northern B.C. Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.
Prince George RCMP Superintendent Shaun Wright attended a March 10 Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Resolutions meeting where he discussed advocacy issues related to the RCMP. In that discussion, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) model was highlighted as a critical need.
These specialized teams are responsible for investigating homicides, high risk missing persons cases where foul play is suspected and suspicious deaths. Wright highlighted that it would help relieve existing pressures on the current officers by providing for the development of a specialized investigation team. It would be similar to that of the IHIT operating in the lower mainland.
From the Committee’s discussion and deliberations on the topic, it was recommended that the city request the Government of Canada and province of BC to work with RCMP management to develop a fair funding formula for an IHIT model to be established in Prince George.
Acting City Manager Watler Babicz has written a draft letter explaining the city and regions need for this team.
“The RCMP North District, with its headquarters located in Prince George, represents the upper two thirds 72 per cent of the province of BC with over 40 detachments and 1100 RCMP employees,” writes Babicz.
“With increased constraints placed on police services related to administrative tasks, delays in lab forensic services, and limited court capacity for prosecution, the City of Prince George is considering ways to relieve some existing pressures on our officers and is interested in the development of a specialized investigation team, similar to that of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) of the lower mainland, who would be responsible for investigating, in northern BC, homicides, suspicious deaths, and high-risk missing persons where foul play is suspected.”
Currently, by agreement between the provincial and federal government, RCMP provides policing services to unincorporated areas of the province and to selected municipalities such as Prince George. Since March 23 and retroactive to April 1, 2019 all B.C. municipalities receive a 70/30 cost share formula between the federal and provincial government regardless of population size.
The lower mainland’s the IHIT is also included in the 70/30 cost-share structure.
“With the varying sizes of communities served by North District RCMP and the already substantial police service expenditure impacting municipal budgets and tax payers, we request that federal and provincial governments work with RCMP management to develop a fair funding formula for an IHIT model to be established in Prince George in order to serve northern BC communities,” concludes the letter.
During tomorrow night’s meeting (April 26) council will vote on whether or not to approve the letter advocating for the development of a funding model for a Northern BC Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.
You can find Monday’s full council agenda here and live-stream the meeting on the city’s website starting at 6 p.m.
