UBCM gives municipalities a heads up on path towards RCMP negotiations

The cost of policing could go up later towards 2021 as a contract for
newly unionized RCMP members is negotiated

Communities like Prince Rupert which have a contract policing agreement with the RCMP will be keeping an eye on upcoming negotiations as the recently accredited National Police Federation which was chosen last year to represent the members of the national policing force prepare for their first contract negotiations.

The Union of British Columbia Municipalities provided an update for local government officials last week, making note of the prospect of increased policing costs for municipal governments as the negotiation process moves forward.

First noting that the original start date for negotiations was to be in March, but that a delay had been put in place owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although specific items for collective bargaining have not been released, pay, resource levels and benefits have been identified by RCMP members as high priorities. 

Once the federal Treasury Board and NPF finalize a collective agreement, local governments will be responsible for paying the incremental policing costs associated with unionization. 

While RCMP National Headquarters has instructed Divisions to project a 2.5% per year pay increase retroactive to January 1, 2017, the current comparator police universe salaries suggest this annual projected rate is insufficient.

As such, local governments that utilize RCMP services are being advised to set aside additional funds in anticipation of higher costs, most notably increases to RCMP member remuneration.

The collective bargaining process with the NPF is expected to resume once the COVID-19 pandemic slows.

According to the financial statements from the City's 2019 Annual Report, the Budget Expenditures for the RCMP operations in Prince Rupert was set at $5,559,445

The topic of any potential change to local policing budget has not made for much discussion from the Council membership during their public meetings for 2020.

More background on the UBCM's notice can be found here.

Further notes on past City Council Discussion themes can be reviewed here.

A look at some of the work of Emergency responders in the Northwest is available here.