The calm before the storm — Council, Police Board have decision on NPD staffing levels
By Nelson Daily Staff
The long awaited provincal review on the minimal staffing required in the Nelson Police Department under the BC Police Act have been completed.
However, the jury remains out on when the report will be released, or when the two sides — Nelson Police Board and City Council — would comment.
In a prepared statement released to the media, Mayor Deb Kozak said the two sides must set aside time to review the report before any comments will be released.
“Nelson City Council and the Police Board have received the decision of the Director of Police Services, Mr. Clayton Pecknold, regarding the Board’s request to increase police resources,” Kozak’s statement read.
“There will be no comment at this time. Details will be released once both parties have had the opportunity to review the decision.”
Pecknold was to release his findings in November of 2015 on Nelson Police Department’s request for $311,000 — for two additional officers and one administrative position.
A request City Council denied in the fall of 2015.
Kozak, who also chairs the Nelson police board, confirmed to The Nelson Daily in early November the audit had been received but remained an in-camera item until council could review it, meaning no contents of the report could be released to the public.
The audit was also reviewed by the Nelson Police Board.
Kozak said at the time of The Nelson Daily story that if the police board and council could not work out their differences, the parties could call for a judicial review of the decision.
Which is now in the hands of the two parties.
No time frame was provided in the media release on when either City Council or Nelson Police Board would comment on the decision.
