New Westminster has taken another step in the evolution of the municipal police department, this time joining with the RCMP Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team.
Two New Westminster police officers will now work as part of the Lower Mainland team, working with teams from across the district and attending to situations as required. The officers will continue to work out of New Westminster.
The agreement became official Jan. 21, when the department signed a memorandum of understanding with the RCMP.
"The move by the NWPD to the RCMP LMD ERT team is seen as the next step in the evolution of providing quality public safety services to the citizens of New Westminster," said police Chief Dave Jones, in a press release.
The change comes after the Municipal Integrated Emergency Response Team was disbanded at the end of 2012.
"The next step in having access to a fulltime, well-trained and equipped team was a natural progression that has occurred in a rather seamless manner for our members," Jones said.
The decision to join with the Lower Mainland team comes after the police department explored a variety of options, considering costs and benefits to the community, said Sgt. Diana McDaniel.
"The response we've had so far has been excellent," McDaniel said. "Any time we've needed ERT as part of our calls, they've been prompt and responsive and so far it's working very, very well."
