Kelowna council reviews police service models as costs climb

Kelowna City Council is examining alternatives for delivering police services as costs for the RCMP contract continue to rise sharply.

A report being presented to council on Monday has compared Kelowna’s current RCMP model with a potential municipal police service. Between 2020 and 2026, policing costs jumped from $34.8 million to roughly $63 million, an increase of 81 per cent, while the number of officers grew by 53, or 26 per cent.

The review, conducted by independent consultant PwC, did not make recommendations but outlined the strengths and trade-offs of both models, including governance, operations, community responsiveness and financial value for money.

Council will now be directing staff to conduct a tiered policing review, which would explore ways to increase efficiency and reduce escalating costs. The approach could include greater use of technology, civilian staff and alternative response models to handle low-risk or non-criminal calls.

The report also highlights the importance of proactive planning, noting the City’s RCMP contract expires in 2032 and the rising complexity of public safety needs.

Officials say the review is part of ongoing efforts to ensure Kelowna residents receive effective, accountable policing while maximizing value for taxpayers.