Esquimalt council has bowed to public pressure to release both the RCMP and Victoria policing proposals.
Mayor Barb Desjardins agreed to release the documents by Sept. 21 after letters of approval from the RCMP and City of Victoria were made public at a council meeting last week.
“The public has been waiting a long time for this,” Desjardins said. “Each step we take is like walking in sand, so we set a timeline.”
Coun. Dave Hodgins said the 30-day deadline will allow both police agencies to vet the proposals for any information that could compromise public safety, such as detailed patrol schedules.
“That way, we don’t have to spend money on the lawyers or possibly put Esquimalt or its residents in a position of liability,” Hodgins said.
Councillors also want to get police board approval before the proposals are released.