Should the City of Saint John consider scrapping its police commission in favour of a different governance structure?
The topic was brought up at Common Council last Monday after Coun. Greg Norton asked the city manager to investigate the idea further.
“This is simply asking our CAO a question for information,” says Norton. “This question can deliver, in my opinion, very valuable information and possible significant cost efficiencies to be had.”
Norton’s motion said the city should consider creating a public safety committee, which would oversee Saint John’s police, fire and EMO.
Proposed Motion for January 15: Police Commission Recommendation: https://t.co/zYYSPVOm0e pic.twitter.com/UT6auOBBSO
— Greg Norton (@GregNortonSJ) January 8, 2018
But the motion was voted down by Common Council, with Mayor Don Darling casting the tiebreaking vote.
“I think the spirit of looking at and making sure that on behalf on citizens we have all of the necessary tools and the best approach possible to run a $25-million business, that’s very appropriate,” says Darling. “I’m not convinced the police commission can’t do that.”
The motion comes a month after police commissioner William Thompson resigned, saying the board lacks the capacity to fulfill its mandate.
Darling says the spirit of the motion is appropriate — but the timing isn’t right.
“Right now, the police commission’s number one job is to hire a police chief,” says Darling, “and that motion, if it went through tonight, that would put a cloud of uncertainty around the police commission for months.”
Police chief John Bates announced last month that he will be retiring this coming spring.
