The Nanaimo RCMP detachment no longer has auxiliary officers, due to budget restrictions and the shifting nature of the work. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

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Auxiliary Cst. program discontinued at Nanaimo RCMP detachment

Jan 5, 2021 | 5:33 AM

NANAIMO — A once-valuable program is no longer in force at the Nanaimo RCMP detachment.

The volunteer Auxiliary Constable program within the detachment was officially shuttered at the end of 2020. Auxiliary constables would patrol with officers and assist with police action, though they’re no longer performing such a role since a review in 2016.

An auxiliary member, who spoke to NanaimoNewsNOW on the condition of anonymity, said the program coming to a close leaves many feeling left out.

“Being an auxiliary constable was a major part of my life and stepping stone into the career I have now,” they said. “Without it, I’m worried a lot of people aren’t going to be able to achieve their dreams in law enforcement.”

They claimed there were over 30 members in the program several years ago before it was changed.

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“Every shift was full, meaning there were four extra bodies on Friday and Saturday to free up officers to do their job. That’s a big amount of work we could handle.”

The number of auxiliary constables waiting to go back on the street has diminished significantly.

Christy Wood, the community policing coordinator with the Nanaimo RCMP, told NanaimoNewsNOW the detachment had to weigh the costs and benefits of the auxiliary program against the community policing program.

“It just seemed with the community policing volunteer program, since they were able to do the majority of the stuff the auxiliaries could do, the money was a little bit more bang for the buck considering the limitations…with the auxiliary constable program.”

Wood said “there are a variety of local, provincial and federal challenges that have put limitations on the program” in an email obtained by NanaimoNewsNOW.

Auxiliary constables now must be supervised, making it difficult to dedicate staff time to the program.

The program was heavily modified in 2016 when an auxiliary constable was wounded in a shooting in Edmonton which claimed the life of a Constable.

She claimed the $40,000 cost of new equipment for the volunteers couldn’t be found in the budget.

“The pressing need for more police officers and specialized positions here at the detachment has tapped out budgets,” she said.

Wood suggested everyone from the auxiliary program join the community policing program, which is supported by the City and “allows for much more flexibility and engagement at the local level.”

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt