The RDOS in Penticton is concerned there may be too much work for RCMP services in the South Okanagan once a new correctional facility is finished and up and running in 2016.

Chief Administrative Officer Bill Newell told regional district directors that the Town of Oliver recently passed a resolution requesting additional policing resources from the Attorney General and said it was time for the Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen to take the issue to Victoria.

Municipalities under 5,000 and rural areas are serviced by a contract with the province. Newell said ongoing discussions with the Attorney General’s office about increasing police staffing in these areas had not been successful.

Oliver’s Mayor Ron Hovanes said he didn’t want to see additional policing needs stemming from the construction or operation of the new correctional facility to be “borne on the backs of Oliver taxpayers.” He said he tried to convey those thoughts in a recent letter sent to the Attorney General’s office.

All directors agreed some action must be taken. Oliver’s detachment is within the town but the jail is on federally control land (Osoyoos Indian Band) and in the jurisdiction of the Regional District.

The board agreed to petition the Attorney General to conduct a study of the impact of the B.C. Corrections Facility under construction south of Gallagher Lake on rural policing requirements in the South Okanagan. No one opposed the motion.