CRIME STOPPERS TO PAY FOR 3 ADDITIONAL RCMP OFFICERS

The local RCMP detachment is getting private funding to help pay for
three new officers and will dedicate those officers to working with
the new contributor: Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers.

It's a deal that both Crime Stoppers and RCMP Supt. Bill McKinnon
said is unique in Canada. A fund-raising committee has agreed to
cover the estimated $240,000 per year for its portion of funding the
new cops for at least the next two years.

McKinnon said the officers will be assigned to either the drug squad
or property crimes section but will be dedicated to following up on
Crime Stoppers tips.

"They are funding them and I promised them we will not remove them,"
McKinnon said.

He received immediate approval from his superiors, saying deputy
commissioner Bev Busson was "very, very supportive."

"I think it's great. They have a vision to see what we can do to make
our community safer for the future," McKinnon said.

Vern Nielsen, who will spearhead the fund-raising effort, says his
board felt it was important to ensure that tips they receive are
actually being addressed.

In an agreement with various levels of government, Crime Stoppers
will pay 70 per cent of the roughly $120,000 it costs per year for an
officer (including car and gear).

The plan is to keep it going for two to three years and hopefully the
government will begin funding the operation.

He said part of the longer term strategy is to show what officers
dedicated to following up on tips can bring.

They will report regularly on their stats, Nielsen said.

McKinnon said two officers will be dedicated to the drug squad and a
third moved into property crimes. He said he wants them to focus on
marijuana grow operations.