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Nanaimo police cut workload

Budget cuts prompt police to focus on crime

Last Updated: Saturday, November 28, 2009 | 10:28 PM PT

CBC News

Fender benders and even some more serious accidents will not be attended by police in Nanaimo starting Dec. 2. (CBC)

RCMP in Nanaimo, B.C., say their officers will no longer respond to motor vehicle accidents where there are no injuries, Criminal Code violations or suspicion of drugs or alcohol.

Instead, firefighters will respond and help with the exchange of information between drivers, direct traffic around accident scenes and call in tow trucks if necessary, according to a police news release Friday.

The change is the result of discussions among the Nanaimo RCMP, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia and the Nanaimo fire department, said RCMP Const. Gary O'Brien.

"It basically comes down to a risk assessment and what's the best and most effective use of our police resources," O'Brien said in the release. "Our general duty members are working at capacity now and this will allow them to focus additional energies on criminal matters."

RCMP act as the municipal police force in Nanaimo and many B.C. towns and cities.

The change in policy comes at a time when the Nanaimo RCMP detachment asked the city to hire 24 more officers, which would have cost the city $3.7 million.

City council instead approved a $758,000 increase to the 2010 police budget on Nov. 17, enough to hire and equip five new officers.

Nanaimo is about 110 kilometres north of Victoria.

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