CRPA

The Codiac Regional Policing Authority has provided a first glance at the upcoming budget request from the Codiac RCMP.

Speaking at Riverview Town Council, CRPA Chair Kim Christie-Gallant said the request includes a $5.48-million budget increase for 2027, due to population growth and rising service demands that are putting pressure on local policing resources.

Christie Gallant explained that the request represents an 8.57 per cent increase over the previous year’s budget and would help fund six new police officers and four operational support positions.

Gallant said the request aims to ensure the region’s policing resources keep pace with rapid growth across Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe.

“Our underlying theme is keeping pace with growth and community needs,” she told council.

The CRPA serves as the civilian governance and oversight board for policing in the three municipalities. The 12-member board includes representatives from Moncton, Riverview, Dieppe and the Province of New Brunswick. While it oversees policing priorities, budgets and performance, it does not manage day-to-day operations.

“We are the governance board for policing for the tri-communities,” Gallant said. “We’re not involved in daily operations, but we oversee the service and ensure accountability.”

According to figures presented during the meeting, the region’s population has grown by 32.5 per cent since 2017, while calls for police service have increased by nearly 60 per cent during the same period.

By comparison, the number of budgeted RCMP members increased by 24.5 per cent over those eight years.

Gallant said the gap highlights the need for additional resources as the region continues to expand.

“Growth brings many positives, but it also creates challenges for infrastructure and public services,” she said.

The proposed budget increase includes standard cost increases related to salaries, operations, maintenance and service agreements, along with funding for the new positions. The authority noted hiring timelines can vary depending on recruitment and relocation requirements.

Looking ahead, the CRPA is planning longer-term staffing reviews to better align police resources with future growth.

“We’re looking not only at current needs but also at the long term,” Gallant said. “We’ll be doing strategic planning around staffing over the next 10 years.”

The authority also highlighted priorities identified through engagement sessions with elected officials, the Codiac RCMP and community stakeholders.

Among the top concerns are property crime, domestic violence and support for vulnerable people. Other areas identified include homelessness, mental health, substance use, drug enforcement, traffic safety and maintaining response times.

Gallant said community policing and crime prevention initiatives remain important, even as frontline demands continue to grow.

She pointed to extensive work completed by officers in local schools, including lockdown drills, as an example of responsibilities that often occur in addition to routine calls for service.

The CRPA will be asking municipal councils to support the proposed funding increase, arguing it is necessary to maintain effective policing and public safety as Greater Moncton continues to grow.

“Our responsibility is to advocate for the resources our service provider needs,” Gallant said. “It’s the municipalities’ responsibility to help bring services up to date and support the growth we’ve all experienced in our communities.”