RCMP DRUG SQUAD STRATEGICALLY LOCATED IN TRURO

There is an interesting philosophical debate unfolding in the midst of
Truro: Should politicians meddle with the way our policing is administered
and financed?

This question is relevant as reports the federal drug section, headed
by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was in imminent danger of being
redeployed. That would have been a tragic loss to this community.

There can be no doubt that the small squad based on West Prince Street
is an effective force in the fight against crime. Their specialty:
drug busts. Their commitment, unquestioned.

Even as the rumours of their departure were exposed to the general
public in this newspaper, officers were deftly going about the
business of hunting down criminals. In fact, as people read about the
reports on Thursday, members of this squad were busting a 50-year-old
Quebec man who was allegedly transporting more than $200,000 worth of
cocaine through the region.

It should be known that a member of the joint drug squad is Truro
Police Const. Stephen van Herk. His presence shows a financial and
moral commitment by the Town of Truro to fight the proliferation of
drugs.

What makes this issue interesting is the Truro Police Service
sometimes has a more hands-on relationship with the people who pay the
bills. Chief Ken MacLean is at every town council meeting to account
for the actions of his troops.

Not so for the RCMP.

While a contingent of 30 RCMP officers is largely paid for by the
County of Colchester, reports to council are rare. That federal force
is largely left to do its own policing, although councillors have been
known to pass on community concerns.

The drug unit, on the other hand, is a federal entity, not paid for by
the municipalities and not responsible to either. It is a federal
expense, not one borne by the municipality. But if those officers were
removed and had to be replaced by the local governments it would cost
nearly $1 million per year.

So, redeploying them would have an adverse effect on the finances of
the town and county, or there would be a hole in the policing of this
region.

Keeping the officers here is the right decision =AD they do good work
and are centrally located. Who should pay and direct them is a matter
for serious debate.