Police staffing concerns continue as ministry sends assurances

 FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – There is no plan to cut policing resources in Fort St. John, according to a provincial minister. 

Lilia Hansen, the mayor of the City of Fort St. John, wrote a letter to Garry Begg, B.C.’s minister of public safety and solicitor general, on January 6th expressing frustration and concern over ongoing local RCMP vacancies. 

Regional general investigation service positions were introduced to the Fort St. John RCMP detachment 20 years ago, however in her letter Hansen explained the positions have been vacant for three years despite “numerous” inquiries for coverage.

Hansen expressed concerns that “reassurances” offered in response to inquiries were not genuine, after she was inadvertently copied into an email which said the positions could be removed in the future. 

The letter also appeared on the agenda for the Peace River Regional District’s (PRRD) January 23rd regional board meeting. 

In a response dated February 10th, Begg acknowledged the mayor’s concerns and stated there is “currently no plan” to remove the positions. 

“The vacancy concerns regarding FSJ [general investigation service positions] are complex; however, I can assure you that there is currently no plan to move any of the three resources out of [the Fort St. John detachment] and that the B.C. RCMP are making efforts to fill the unit’s vacancies.” 

Begg concluded his reply to Hansen by stating he had instructed ministry staff to reach out and set up a meeting with the City of Fort St. John, the B.C. RCMP and “other affected communities” to discuss Hansen’s concerns. 

To read the full reply as it appears in the PRRD’s February 20th regional board meeting agenda, see below.