Policing

UBCM is seeking one local government representative to fill a vacancy on the Province’s Advisory Committee on Provincial Policing Standards. Given the technical nature of the issues that the committee will be considering, UBCM is looking to nominate one local government staff member. Interested individuals are asked to contact Bhar Sihota, UBCM Senior Policy Analyst, by February 6, 2026. 

The Province’s internal review of its Repeat Violent Offending Intervention Initiative (ReVOII) has found that police interactions involving accused individuals decreased by approximately 50% in the 18 months after joining the program. The ReVOII has thus far provided support and supervision to more than 400 high-risk offenders.

Although official confirmation has not yet been provided, the federal government has indicated its willingness to re-negotiate the 20-year RCMP Police Service Agreements (PSA) that are set to expire in 2032. This comes as local governments, including UBCM, continue to call on the federal government to directly involve local governments as part of any negotiations. 

In late October, the Local Government RCMP Contract Management Committee (LGCMC) met with provincial government and BC RCMP representatives to discuss issues related to the Municipal Police Unit Agreements (MPUAs), and policing more broadly in British Columbia. Issues discussed at the meeting are summarized in this article. 

On October 23, the federal government introduced the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, which includes more than 80 proposed amendments to the Criminal Code. Many changes broadly respond to local government concerns, including resolutions and correspondence seeking stricter bail conditions for repeat offenders. A UBCM analysis follows.

The legislation includes the following proposed amendments to the Criminal Code:

Since 2022, local governments have been meeting with the provincial government as part of a Police Act and public safety review through the UBCM-PSSG Local Government Policing Modernization Roundtable.

UBCM is seeking to appoint local government representatives from RCMP policed jurisdictions to the Local Government Contract Management Committee (LGCMC). There are currently two vacancies to be filled by local government elected officials or staff members.

The Committee consists of up to ten representatives from local governments policed by the RCMP. The following categories require local government appointments:

This spring, the Local Government RCMP Contract Management Committee (LGCMC) met with provincial government and BC RCMP representatives to discuss issues related to the Municipal Police Unit Agreements, and policing more broadly in British Columbia. Issues discussed at the meeting are summarized in this article. 

The Province has published the final report of the independent Commission of Inquiry into Community Events Safety.

UBCM has provided a submission to the Commission of Inquiry into Community Events Safety in B.C. The submission outlines several issues for the Commission’s consideration as it examines measures respecting public security and safety at community events. The Commission was established on May 7, 2025, following the tragic events that took place during the April 26th Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver.