BNPP given OK to expand force into previous RCMP areas: mayor

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The municipality of Belle-Baie has been given the go-ahead to expand the BNPP Regional Police Force in parts of the community currently served by RCMP.

Mayor Daniel Guitard said the province gave permission for the expansion following a review of its operational capacities and the cost of expansion following the municipal reform.

“So far on the council, everyone is excited we’re able to extend our service because the BNPP is very well-accepted and recognized in the old municipalities,” he said. “They’re providing a lot of visibility, which is what people are looking for these days.”

The municipality decided to expand the BNPP territory to serve the roughly 5,200 more people within its expanded borders, instead of changing to a municipal contract with the RCMP because it costs less money, Guitard said.

In 2023, it was estimated the startup costs for a BNPP expansion would be about $217,000 for new vehicles, uniforms and equipment and $892,000 for costs including the salaries new officers.

Guitard said the municipality didn’t request any funding from the province for the expansion since the salary of the new officers will be covered by what the municipality was previously paying for RCMP.

The municipality began covering the cost of the BNPP policing the former local service districts of Petit-Rocher Sud and Petit-Rocher Nord in 2024, which was paid for by the province prior to the reform.

As of April 1 the province is no longer charging municipalities expanding their municipal police force territories for services from the RCMP, said Department of Justice and Public Safety spokesperson Jessica Hearn in an email statement.

“Communities are strongly encouraged to utilize that budget towards their new policing service delivery model,” the statement reads.

It says RCMP will continue to police the affected areas until the transition is finalized, though there is no set date at this time.

Additional officers and equipment

The transition is expected to take place in 2025, but Guitard and Chief Roger Clavet both said the force will take as much time is needed to ensure it’s done right.

The force will have to hire seven additional officers, Clavet said, which includes a deputy chief, an officer for the investigation section, a public relations officer and four patrol officers.

Two new vehicles will also be required – a patrol car outfitted with equipment and one vehicle for the investigation section.

New police station

As part of the expansion, Guitard said the municipality will eventually need a new police station. Council has set aside $150,000 in the 2024 budget to conduct a study to determine the details and expected cost.

He said the municipality will look at what federal and provincial funding is available to help fund the project when the time comes.

“I’m sure we will test every program that is out there,” Guitard said. “We won’t leave any money on the table. But that being said, if we don’t qualify or there are no programs, we will build it on our own. We’ll have to.”

In the meantime, Guitard said the force will “make minor modifications” to the existing station to make it as functional as possible.

Public sessions

Two public sessions will be held in the Robertville and Alceda areas by June to discuss the policing changes with the public.

“We want to be sure we can iron out any little problems that might be there before going ahead,” Guitard said.

The force is getting guidance from the Department of Justice and Public Safety and the RCMP throughout the process.

“We’ll take our time to ensure that things are done correctly,” Clavet said.