Ucluelet’s municipal council hasn’t stopped pulling in the tug-of-war it’s having with the RCMP over its local police chief.
Ucluelet’s RCMP detachment is a four-year limited duration posting but council is urging the RCMP to nix this label and allow Sgt. Jeff Swann to continue his command.
Sgt. Swann has received two one-year extensions since arriving in Ucluelet in 2009 but his bosses seem unwilling to extend his stay any further.
In August, Swann was told he would be transferring to Port Alberni later this year.
Swann has been vocal about his desire to stay in Ucluelet and council, along with the community, have made it clear that they share this desire.
Council met with BC’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General Suzanne Anton during the Union of BC Municipalities convention in September and reviewed a letter from Anton during Nov. 10’s council meeting.
“I appreciate that the existing Ucluelet Detachment commander had a very positive impact on the community and that the District did not want him to be transferred out at the end of his limited duration posting,” Anton wrote.
She explained the RCMP’s limited duration posting policy is controlled at the federal level and that she had asked BC’s Assistant Deputy Minister and Director of Police Services Clayton Pecknold to forward Ucluelet’s concerns to Ottawa.
“Through a continued partnership, I am confident that we can work together to increase the safety and security of the District of Ucluelet,” she wrote.
Council assured they would follow up with Pecknold to ensure their voice is heard.
andrew.bailey@westerlynews.ca