A study reviewing policing policy in Moncton has recommended the city stay with a regional RCMP force.

Creating a separate Moncton RCMP detachment or a municipal force would cost too much money to start up, according to the 220-page report received by Moncton city council on Thursday night.

The Codiac RCMP took over policing services in the greater Moncton region in 1998 under orders from the Liberal government of the day.

Consultants were hired last year to examine whether the city was getting the most for its money. One option was to pull out of the RCMP and return to a municipal police force.

The report said Moncton represents 66 per cent of the population served by the Codiac RCMP, but pays a higher percentage of the $17-million annual cost of the force.

Coun. Brian Hicks said that's unfair.

"We've paid anywhere from 78 per cent to 76 per cent and currently 74.6 per cent of the RCMP cost, and that's been way too high," he said Thursday. "I'm guessing over the last 12 years that the city has probably paid $20- or $25 million more than we should have for police services."

Hicks said he is leaning toward creating a municipal police force.

Coun. Kathryn Barnes said she would keep an open mind.

"It's a very extensive report and now I'm looking forward to getting feedback from the community to see what what they're thinking about policing in the city of Moncton," she said.

Steep price

The southeastern New Brunswick city has a reputation as a safe community, but has paid a steep price, according to Mayor George LeBlanc. The police budget is more than $23 million, and almost $18 million of that comes from the city, he said. "So, it's a lot of money no matter how you look at it."

Riverview and Dieppe are also covered by the RCMP contract.

Dean Secord, the president of the New Brunswick Police Association, said a municipal force could do what the RCMP does for Moncton but at a reduced cost.

"The RCMP are still making a salary of roughly around $77,000, compared to $72,000 of the highest paid municipal force in New Brunswick," Secord said.

He said the city could save $6 million a year by returning to a municipal force.

Local police forces have training equal to the RCMP as well as similar specialties, such as accident reconstruction and emergency response teams, he said.

The Moncton council must make a decision about its policing services by the end of March. Two feedback sessions for Moncton residents are set for March 17.