Superintendent Kevin Hewco told RDOS directors today he is shaking things up a bit.

Hewco is new to the Penticton Regional Detachment and was presenting a quarterly report but stated: I want “to reorganize the reporting to you” slightly so that it reflect trends and he promised to one director that trends and targets are the way of current policing. Hewco also stated he would be taking an active role on a regional basis attending town hall type meetings if invited in small communities as a pro-active policy. The Superintendent says he wants his officers out of the car more often – walking in communities. He also states some officers are quick to charge a young person without first exploring diversion programs (restorative justice).

On Boonstock, a large event planned on PIB land he says planning is not well advanced which concerns the police. Hewco says any officers needed will come from out of the area and that cost will be bourne by organizers…. with the PIB – the local government of record.

The RDOS is playing a role by coordinating meetings of all stakeholders prior to the event.

On the provincial jail in Oliver – Hewco says more officers will be needed during the construction phase when up to 1000 people will be involved in the building. At least 250 employees will be hired with hundreds of inmates in the jail which will increase the demand for police officers.

Mayors of Oliver, Osoyoos and Penticton and others will meet with Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton tomorrow morning and the cost of policing is at the top of the agenda.

Below is S/Sgt. Kurt Lozinski who will act as Penticton’s operational chief of police for the city.

Lozinski lives in Osoyoos and Hewco lives in OK Falls.