Moncton delays decision on RCMP's future

The City of Moncton is delaying a decision on its policing future as it continues to study whether it should abandon its regional RCMP service.

Moncton politicians are considering three options that could lead to a new municipal force being established, a Moncton-only RCMP detachment or a new cost-sharing agreement with the Codiac RCMP.

Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc said the city is waiting for an answer from the federal government as to whether it'll change its mind and offer Moncton a 10 per cent rebate for the RCMP.

City staff also need more time to get information from other cities about how to run a municipal police force.

LeBlanc said it may take until the fall to get all of the information. The city councillors had intended on making the decision by the end of June.

Moncton city council opened the door in April to pulling out of the Codiac RCMP after years of complaining about the cost-sharing deal the southeastern New Brunswick city has with its neighbouring communities of Dieppe and Riverview.

When Moncton council voted to pull out of the Codiac Regional RCMP agreement, it was argued that it was too expensive for Moncton taxpayers because Dieppe and Riverview are not paying their fair share.

The average cost of RCMP service in Moncton for a $140,000 home is $467, while it's only $387 in Riverview and $245 in Dieppe, according to city officials.

The New Brunswick Police Association said in advertisements earlier in June that a municipal police force could save the city upwards of $6 million.