The City of Penticton’s bylaw and RCMP forces are now fully up to their recently approved staff counts.
All four new RCMP officers, four community safety officers, a new bylaw officer and a new bylaw intake administrator have been hired and are on the job in Penticton.
The additions were included in the budget for 2022, as the city continues to face one of the heaviest caseloads per RCMP officers in B.C.
“The addition of the four new RCMP members will enhance the amount of proactive time our officers have which will increase our ability to target and hold our prolific offenders to account,” said Penticton’s RCMP Superintendent, Brian Hunter.
A need for additional officers has been included in the planning for several budgets, with yearly additions to the city’s detachment of officers. 2022’s increase is the largest increase in the last few years.
“Council is pleased to hear these new members are now on board and carrying out their patrols,” said mayor John Vassilaki.
The new bylaw officer and administrator have allowed the bylaw department to expand their hours as well, in order to provide service every day of the week, from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. Those new hours are set to begin in May.
In addition to approving funding for new RCMP and bylaw members, Penticton’s council also approved the now underway Community Safety Resource Review to identify long-term staffing level requirements across the city’s community safety portfolio, including RCMP, Bylaw and the Penticton Fire Department.
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