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By Caden Fanshaw

POLICE

BC’s rural police officers about to get more backup

Feb 7, 2023 | 5:02 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – As the province rolls out big spending in 2023, part of the dollars will be destined for rural BC police detachments.

Mike Farnworth, BC Minister of Public Safety claimed there would be a big impact made in Northern BC in particular as 277 more positions will be funded.

“It’s a record investment in this province, in fact probably the largest in its history,” said Farnworth, when speaking of the $230 million Safer Communities Fund. “The goal is to ensure that those positions get filled and that will take some of the pressure off.”

There are still no details on which communities will receive the extra officers, the BC Government did note the communities with less than 5,000 people will be the primary target. Farnworth said the move will fill significant vacancies and positions that previously were not funded.

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Brian Sauve, President of The National Police Federation said the added officers will provide better certainty for communities in need, and do more to curb rural crime.

Sauve noted Alberta recently undertook a similar approach to funding officers which has resulted in significant results.