As Kelowna examines potentially breaking from its 70-year relationship with the RCMP, the conversation around public safety has taken center stage in British Columbia’s third-largest city. The city council voted unanimously last week to proceed with a comprehensive feasibility study examining the costs and benefits of establishing a municipal police force.
“Communities across B.C. are grappling with complex public safety challenges that demand innovative approaches,” Mayor Tom Dyas said during the council meeting where the motion passed. “This study gives us the data we need to make an informed decision about what policing model best serves our growing population.”
The feasibility study comes with a price tag of $150,000 and will examine everything from operational efficiencies to community satisfaction with current policing services. For perspective, Kelowna currently spends approximately $40 million annually on RCMP services – a figure that has risen steadily alongside the city’s population growth to over 145,000 residents.
Council members were quick to emphasize this isn’t about dissatisfaction with current RCMP members serving in the community. Rather, the study represents what Councillor Maxine DeHart called “due diligence in exploring governance models that might better address our unique urban challenges.”
The study addresses growing concerns about response times in Kelowna’s expanding suburban neighborhoods and rising property crime rates that have left some residents frustrated. According to Statistics Canada data from 2022, Kelowna’s crime severity index sits 54% above the national average, placing additional pressure on local officials to evaluate all options.
Several B.C. municipalities have recently considered similar transitions. Surrey’s contentious shift to a municipal force has provided both cautionary tales and potential insights, though Kelowna officials stress their approach will be tailored to local needs and thoroughly researched before any decisions are made.
Former RCMP superintendent Bill McKinnon, who served as Kelowna’s top officer for years before retirement, offered a balanced perspective. “There are legitimate advantages to both models. Municipal forces offer local control and accountability, while the RCMP brings national resources and economies of scale. The key is determining which best addresses Kelowna’s specific public safety priorities.”
The transition study will examine several key factors, including local governance, recruiting capabilities, equipment costs, and integration with provincial and federal law enforcement. Perhaps most importantly, it will analyze projected startup costs against long-term operational expenses.
Public engagement will form a critical component of the evaluation process. The city plans to host community forums and conduct surveys to gauge resident priorities and concerns. This aligns with what UBC Okanagan political science professor James Thompson describes as a growing trend toward “community-centered policing models that reflect local values and priorities.”
If Kelowna were to proceed with establishing a municipal force, the transition would likely take several years. Surrey’s experience demonstrated the complexity of such changes, with that city’s transition taking nearly four years and encountering significant budgetary challenges along the way.
The National Police Federation, which represents RCMP members, has expressed concern about potential transitions, arguing that municipal forces often cost substantially more while delivering comparable services. Their research suggests transitions typically increase policing budgets by 15-20% when accounting for infrastructure, equipment, and competitive salary requirements.
“We understand communities need to evaluate their options,” said Brian Sauvé, president of the National Police Federation. “But we believe the RCMP offers value, extensive training resources, and specialized services that would be difficult and expensive for a single municipality to replicate.”
The feasibility study is expected to be completed by early 2025, allowing council to digest findings before making any decisions. Mayor Dyas emphasized repeatedly that exploring options doesn’t guarantee change.
“This is about making sure we’re providing Kelowna residents with the most effective public safety services possible,” he said. “Whether that means continuing with the RCMP or developing a municipal force, we need data to guide that decision.”
As Kelowna residents await the study results, many community leaders have encouraged thoughtful consideration rather than rushing to judgment. Downtown Kelowna Association Executive Director Pamela Pearson noted that business owners want consistency in service above all else.
“Our members care about response times, visible presence in high-traffic areas, and officers who understand local dynamics,” Pearson said. “The model matters less than the results it delivers on the ground.”
The city plans to provide regular updates on the study’s progress through its website and community newsletters, with preliminary findings expected by fall 2024. Whatever path Kelowna ultimately chooses, the discussion highlights the evolving nature of community safety expectations in growing urban centers across British Columbia.
