loading...
By Joe Fries
Coming off what was likely a record year for murders in 2008, the Kelowna RCMP along with other regional detachments are investigating the possibility of establishing a dedicated Okanagan homicide unit.
Kelowna RCMP Supt. Bill McKinnon said a study is in the works to determine if the unit would make fiscal sense, or if it’s best to leave such matters for the existing serious crimes unit and other provincial resources.
Speaking generally about what such an integrated homicide squad might look like, McKinnon said he sees it fielding six to eight officers drawn from and funded by detachments around the Okanagan based on population and historical homicide stats.
Last year, Kelowna recorded seven murders, but none so far this year. Still, McKinnon said that “unfortunately,” there would be plenty of work for a team of murder investigators.
“In many ways, it’s like an insurance policies for communities,” he added. “Because the costs for municipalities of a homicide (investigation) that’s lengthy can run into the millions of dollars.”
It would also allow for experts to be retained so police “have the ability to respond to these types of files,” McKinnon said.
Integrated regional homicide units are already in place on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, and a 23-member RCMP Southeast District serious crimes unit works out of Kelowna.
Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd, who asked McKinnon to look into the homicide unit, could not be reached for comment.
McKinnon expects the business case for the unit is expected to be ready in mid-September. He’s reserving his opinion until that time: “I want to see the numbers.”
joe@kelowna.com/(250) 575-4303
