Saint John councillors will consider the future of the city’s police commission, but they won’t make any decisions right away.
Coun. Gerry Lowe brought a motion to Monday’s regular meeting that would see the commission dissolved within 30 days and turn the Saint John Police Force into a city-run department, answerable directly to council.
Lowe said the change would help restore public trust by increasing accountability as councillors are more accessible to the public than the commission members.
Lowe’s motion also listed better collaboration with other city departments and budgetary efficiency as advantages to changing the governance model.
Deputy Mayor John MacKenzie said he believed the motion was on the right track, that he’s heard from residents that they don’t feel safe on the streets.
Coun. Barry Ogden also voiced his support for the motion.
“People do not feel safe in this city,” Ogden said.
But rather than vote on Lowe’s motion, councillors voted on a motion to refer the issue to city staff for more information.
Coun. Paula Radwan said the issue of police governance has come up several times during the current council’s term.
“I’ve been frustrated at times,” she said.
But Radwan pointed out there are no policing experts on council, and she wants to see a review of the governance model and recommendations on how to proceed.
“What outcomes are we looking for that we’re not getting now?” she said, as she explained the reasoning for her motion.
The referral motion passed, with Lowe, Ogden and Coun. Greg Norton voting against.
The next step will involve the chief administrative officer developing a plan to gather the information Radwan wants to have. Mayor Donna Reardon said she expects that will include some form of public engagement.
