Correspondence from Mike Morris, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General

MAY 04 2016

His Worship David Screech Mayor of the Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue Victoria BC V9B 1A6

Dear Mayor Screech:

Your April 18, 2016 letter addressed to Mr. Alistair MacGregor, MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, regarding the Auxiliary Constable Program, has been referred to me.

As you are aware, in response to some tragic events, the RCMP has been undertaking a review of the Auxiliary Constable Program at a national level since October 2014. There have been a number of internal consultations within the RCMP, as well as initial decisions (for example Auxiliary Constables in uniform must be under the direct supervision of a regular member; the discontinuation of ride-alongs). While we agree that the safety of Auxiliary Constables is paramount, the ministry is reviewing the approach being taken by the RCMP.

Prior to providing the RCMP with our feedback on the recommended changes proposed to date, we would like to hear from impacted local governments. In that regard, your comments are timely and I appreciate that you have taken the time to write and express your views. The ministry is currently seeking feedback from municipalities through a communiqué and questionnaire that were included in the April 20, 2016 version of The Compass distributed by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. I hope you will also take time to respond to that questionnaire.

I want to assure you that the ministry values the considerable commitment of the Auxiliary Constables who volunteer in British Columbia communities, and we remain committed to a strong and effective uniformed Auxiliary Constable Program. It is important that communities have a range of options to deal with community safety and crime prevention initiatives, and to mitigate the increasing costs associated with policing and community safety.

Thank you for taking the time to write.

Sincerely,

Mike Morris Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General

pc: Mr. Alistair MacGregor