The Okanagan's four major cities are exploring the concept of establishing an Integrated Homicide Investigation Team similar to ones in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. The group of homicide investigators from Vernon, Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Penticton would work on serious crime cases in all four communities. The RCMP is researching the logistics and costs of establishing the program.Valley mayors like Vernon's Wayne Lippert (pictured) say it could improve efficiency and provide for more uniformity in the investigations. The four centres also are working on a coordinated action to deal with squatters and pollution associated with houseboats. They're also trying to set up a protocol for more extensive group purchases of materials and products.
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| Okanagan Valley Mayors Team Up on Initiatives |
| By City of Kelowna |
KELOWNA - Mayors from the Okanagan’s four largest municipalities met in Kelowna earlier this month to discuss issues of common interest and find ways to work together for greater efficiency and effectiveness. The Intermunicipal Advisory Board heard a request for an RCMP pilot project called IHIT – Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. Described by RCMP Superintendents Bill McKinnon and Russ Nash, IHIT would group homicide investigators from Kelowna, West Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon to work on cases in all four communities. “By sharing resources and the expertise of the investigators in each community when needed, it could improve efficiency and provides for uniformity in these investigations,” says Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd. “It could also have the benefit of skilled investigators doing what they’re trained to do more regularly.” The RCMP will continue to research the logistics and costs of such a program, which is modeled on similar programs employed by municipal police forces in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island. Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd, West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater, Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert and Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton also discussed coordinated action on houseboats using Okanagan Lake. The mayors resolved to work with other levels of government to address houseboating issues such as squatters and pollution. The mayors, who represent more than 80 per cent of Okanagan residents, also talked about establishing a protocol for group purchases. The municipalities already do some group buys, but the mayors believe there are further opportunities to explore. The mayors also continue to compare bylaws that might be adopted for consistency in each municipality.The Intermunicipal Advisory Board has been meeting for the past year to discuss valley-wide meeting issues. |
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