St. Albert RCMP got the OK to boost its ranks by hiring two file reviewers but will have to squeeze the new workers into a converted storage room as they await a decision on money for extra space.
City council approved the request for the new hires Monday evening but wanted to explore other options before approving $190,000 so the detachment can lease extra space.
Council had endorsed both requests in principle during its 2011 budget process but left final funding approval until they received further details.
Detachment head, Insp. Warren Dosko was very happy to receive the two new support positions.
"To me it demonstrates the mayor and council's commitment to safety," he said.
The file reviewers will be civilians with an extensive background in police investigations. They will review all RCMP files, a long-standing practice of the police force to ensure proper handling of all cases, Dosko said.
The detachment is already working to consolidate two storage rooms into one to free up space for the new additions, which Dosko hopes to have in place April 1.
The positions would be best filled by retired police officers with extensive investigative experience, Dosko said. St. Albert is home to many retired officers and the city has already heard from some who are interested in applying, he said.
"They're going to be a critical piece to our front line supervision," he said.
Lease to wait
Council postponed a decision on whether or not to give the RCMP $190,000 to lease extra space to establish a satellite office. The estimated cost jumped from $150,000 at budget time.
Council will revisit the issue May 2. In the meantime, administration will explore whether some sort of lease-to-own arrangement can be found.
Council also wants administration to clarify the vision for the former RCMP headquarters downtown, known as the Hemingway Centre, which some councillors feel is an underused asset.
The current detachment is operating at 25 per cent above its capacity, police say, so they need about 4,100 square feet elsewhere. Its favoured option is to lease space in Campbell Business Park, which would provide space for the next 10 years, during which time the city can plan for the longer-term space needs of the force.
Some councillors felt the Hemingway Centre would be the ideal location. City officials said they considered the site but felt it wasn't the best option because it would cost up to $2 million to renovate the building, which would only provide enough space for the next five years.
Coun. Malcolm Parker urged all concerned to take a long view.
"I think we have to think long-term, what do we really need, and move forward in that direction. Let's do it right," he said.
Dosko said the police can live with the overcrowding for a few more months if that's what council needs to make the right decision.
"Probably the best decision wasn't made when they built this detachment and we want to avoid making those similar mistakes," he said.
