Penticton’s RCMP boss expects a report due “any day now” will support his plan to reshape the region’s Crime Stoppers program.
Supt. Kevin Hewco on Thursday told the board of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen he asked a specialist from the B.C. RCMP’s headquarters to provide a third-party opinion of his propsal.
“I’m led to believe the report entirely endorses my position on the program, which was that we can assign more duties, but I wanted someone independent so there’s no perception of bias,” he said.
Hewco has proposed combining Crime Stoppers with community policing responsibilities, like recruiting auxiliary officers and volunteers for Citizens on Patrol.
Crime Stoppers co-ordinator Al Sismey warned previously that doing so would harm the tips program, which he maintains must be kept separate from police.
Sismey’s position is funded by a $65,000 annual contribution from the RDOS.