Halifax Regional Police are declining to comment on council’s decision to maintain the status quo in HRM policing.
Police spokesman Const. Brian Palmeter said yesterday the matter is for the mayor and council to discuss, not HRP.
“It’s a council decision, between them and the police commission,” he said. “They went through the process and council made the decision … It’s not a police matter to speak to.”
Council voted behind closed doors Tuesday to keep the integrated model of policing. Currently, the HRP service urban areas while the RCMP patrol outlaying regions such as Sackville and Cole Harbour.
The Board of Police Commissioners, chaired by Coun. Russell Walker, recommended HRP take over all policing responsibilities in the municipality.
The board’s report, released Tuesday evening, cited financial savings, increased cohesion and the elimination of overheads as the reasons for the recommendation.
HRP have been tight-lipped about the issue since the recommendation was leaked to media last week. But Chief Frank Beazley told CBC last Wednesday he considered the report “just good business.”
RCMP Supt. Darrell Beaton came out in favour of the decision Tuesday.
