COUNCIL OK'S NEW OFFICER TO FIGHT DRUGS

City council is keeping its promise to increase the numbers of RCMP
members in Quesnel by approving funding for a new drug officer for
Quesnel.

In 2003, council had agreed in principle to increase the number of
officers over three years. It approved an officer in 2004 and
effectively hired one in 2005 by re-assigning the community policing
officer and hiring a civilian community policing co-ordinator.

The net cost to the city for the additional officer will be $86,000
and the motion to hire the officer was passed unanimously.

Mayor Nate Bello shared an incident at the council meeting during the
discussion about whether to fund the new officer. It involved his
daughter, whose place of work was robbed on the weekend. His daughter
was working in the back at Canadian 2 for 1 Pizza, when the restaurant
was held up.

"This just brings it home to every one of us that we have to get a
collar on these robberies, but I know our staff sergeant is doing
everything he can," said Bello. "It was a horrifying feeling for a lot
of the employees of the establishment.

"I appreciate the work of the victims assistance program. They talked
to all the staff about heightened security. It's important for us to
realize a lot of crime has to do with the problem of drugs in our community."

City manager Charles Hamilton said Staff Sgt. Keith Hildebrand was
looking for early approval of an additional officer so they can
immediately begin the recruitment process.

"I am advised that it is Staff Sgt. Keith Hildebrand's intention to
assign this additional resource primarily for drug enforcement duties
within the city," Hamilton said. "Normally, this request would be
dealt with through the annual budget process.

"The process can take some time to be finalized and Staff Sgt.
Hildebrand is anxious to confirm with RCMP headquarters that we will
be adding this additional officer so they can proceed with the
recruitment process."

Bello said the decision in 2003 to increase the complement of officers
was based on a human resources analysis report. He said the staff
sergeant made a very strong case for the increase.

Staff Sgt. Hildebrand has done a lot to improve morale and make
improvements to the Quesnel RCMP detachment, said Bello.

"Now, Quesnel is a desired posting," said Bello.

The detachment has also made some additions to the number of rural and
traffic officers, he added.

"I think we've gotten to the point where we're at a good, basic
number," Bello said. "This is one side of the equation. The other side
of the equation is the community dealing with some of the issues that
are the root causes of crime."