Councillors debate policing report in private

Halifax regional councillors stayed behind closed doors Monday debating a proposal about policing that many of themsayshould be argued in public.

Councillors went in-camera to discuss a report thatrecommends an expansion of the Halifax Regional Police force.

Thereport, obtained by CBC News, suggests that the HRP take over all areas in the region currently policed by the RCMP. This would mean replacing 200 RCMP officers, who now patrol outside urban areas.

But, in the end, councillors voted to hold the talks in secret for a number of reasons, chief among them concerns about public safety, Mayor Peter Kelly said.

"Due to public security, we do not want to disclose to the criminal element where there might be some deficiencies in our overall system," he said. "So, we have to be sure that were protecting the integrity of the police system in HRM."

Kellysaid the talkswere kept behind closed doors because they also dealt with personnel and contractual matters.

Council will meet again behind closed doors Tuesday morning to discuss the report.

Kelly said he hopes three reports on this issue will be released as early as Tuesday.

Ahead of the meeting, Coun. Sue Uteck said she would call for an open debate.

"I do not see why this should be in-camera," she said. "This is a policy issue and a policy shift for HRM."

Uteck (Northwest Arm-South End)is supporting her rural colleagues, many of whom question the need for any change. She said she heard from concerned residents and fellow councillors over the weekend.

"I don't know if this upheaval is even necessary," Uteck said.

"I think we should have an audit of both Halifax Regional Police and the RCMP to see if those efficiencies can be changed without this massive upheaval. It's been very obvious to me that the RCMP are very important to the rural community."

The police commission is made up of three regional councillors and three citizens. Uteck said the chair of the commission, Coun. Russell Walker, should step down.

Takeover option wins

The board conducted a four-year review of police services in the region. The option of an expanded HRP scored the highest of four scenarios, with a score of 42 points out of 50. Maintaining the status quo was the second choice, with a score of 40.6.

According to the confidential report, an expanded HRPwould givethe municipality more control overpolicing and be more economically stable, since the RCMP is dependent on the federal government for funding.

More than 200 RCMP officers now serve Cole Harbour, Lower Sackville, Tantallon and along the Eastern Shore. Under the takeover option, those officers could be offered jobs with the municipal force.

Commissioners voted in late January. Many councillors were caught off guardwhen CBC News made the report public late last week.

Regional council doesn't have to implement the commission's recommendation. It could choose to keep the status quo or even ask for more study on the issue.