Local AS things are shaping up in Vancouver, the - battle lines are being drawn and as we get ‘teady for round one, we “: can see the media flock- . ing around for what _ Promises to be a very “entertaining contest. On one sides is. the {Nancouver mavor) and the “Mancover Police, Department (VED) Chief Constable; on the ather, the police board and the Vancouver Pedice Union. At stake are several careers. at the least of which is that of Chief Constable Bruee Chambers. A loss cin’ this “game™ could well seid hint to the sidelines for the duration, Buz, deperding on how the “game” progresses, there is also © the future of some of the play- 2 ers. —. some pretenders to the - throne, while. others: beuing * their prospects on which of the ‘survivors win the big prize. © Lait week we discussed the object’ of. the “game.” The * mayor and the chief have come up with a plin for 40 addition- al officers to be. deployed in the Downtown Eastside to combat he myriad evils lurking on che “meanest 'streets in this country. Council approved a 1% tax crease to fund the idea, which In’ our’, B10-1. Christmas flyer, Beaumark. dryer #66461 on page 33 should nave read “Our reg. 479.98. Sale 379.98 each.” Nunn Bush boots #1 on page 63 will bé substituted at the in our B10-1A Essence: of Beauty flyer. Pillar. candies with tray’ gift-with-purchase offer on page 2 will be late - rainchecks will be available at the’ stor Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused, 2 Loy ale Hiuminated Magnifying -. Lamps “The perfect gift ? far the hobbyist, - eraftsperson; amp collector or e sight impaired. Table $69.95 .oil paper : shades. ; NORBURN: “Thunder Bay, f | ee | Knight crime and ; A, punishment Dwolves 2 one Time infusion oF $3.6 million, While this idea is, on the surtace atleast, good, the prob- lem arises when the numbers are crunched, Instead of clearly defined answers, one is left with 4 collection of confusing ques- tions as we disctised last week. The police board reacted with a 6-Lovote against the plan, fy itself this seem inher- ently confusing. A government appointed board refusing an increase. in manpower and money? Blasphemy! This goes against the grain of every bureaucrat who's ever tried to build an empire. So, what’s really behind the reluctance of the board to rake council’s lolly? came to Vancouver ‘via the top job in Ontario, This was the first time in anvone’s memory that the. chief's job went to anyone fram outside the department. -fighting funding battle Undoubtedly, © Chambers had ap uphill bate to gain the contidence of his new subordi nates. Equally, the VPD mem bers and officers had to prove themyelves to an uniaméiar chict. 5 Bat, right from the get-go, things started to go awry on both sides. What was missing: was some very basic tence and | tnstead, cyor | twam building and politics seemed to ‘take control of even the mast basic of daily finctions in the police department. When Chambers marched at the head of the annual Gay “Pride parade but nculected to attend the department's retire- ment dinner, honouring those police officers leaving after ded- ieating their working fives to the service of the city, it was perceived as. a major slap in the fee te the rank and file. Then came a situation where Chambers seemingly threw due process of law out his seventh Boor window and three. officers were charged - criminally with assault based on the most confusing and con- flicting of evidence, The chief constable then pushed ahead with his reorga- nization of the department with a “come hell or. high water” attitude. The reorgani- _ zation cost hundreds of thou- Serving the L ower A fuinland since 197 t Anather one of our designs. For Free Estimate call 922-4975 or 987: 2066 . tetsh ahout our Seniars Discounts ; * | Labour $12.50 per panel untined, $13.50 fined, i Custom Rods, Upholstery & Bedspreads jun Low Low Prices { Two models to choose fromt $69.95 $99.95 Floor Pure bright halogen Black | $59.95 Vancouver’s largest selection‘of lamps. LIGHTING i | AND BATH CENTRE oN sands of dollars ni what many officers claim is wasted taxpay- er” money which should have Deen spent oon operational requirements 16 serve the pub- he better. Now there's this new pho. the one the police board can’t sce tO SUpport, While much of the dissatis- faction with the chiet constable is imernal amd tvpicaily, any police department: dues’ bike to air its dirty laundry in pubke, othe union executive took the unprecedented step) a manth ‘ago of conducting a. series of interviews with many Members of the police department. Following the interviews, the exceutive had a two-day retreat ro assess and conipile all the relevant formation. Union president Bob Rich Way preparing to make a pre- sentation to council, outlining all the concerns. But, just before he made his treatise, he was handed a copy of the new plan. That was it. No consulta- tion, Nothing more than “here you go." Just befiore the potice board convened to consider the plan, Rich and other members of his executive hosted the police board at a dinner in the union offices. It was there the con- cerns about the problems in the Heart Attack, | Stroke or # Cancer Insurance | plus full financial services ; please call Madura Planners John Madura at 926-5066 trek Webb “ix head of AIM's San Wednesday, November it deparonent were laid out chap- ter and verse, The mecting was scheduled prior to the three-year plan being «tabled, however, it became a significant part of the discussion, Henee, when the. police board meeting took place, Mavor Owen was the sole sup: porting vote and the battle lines were clearly drawn. Now pone of thiv has any: thing really to de with the aim ofthe plan — to foes on the problems of the — “skids.” Untornunately that idea, how- ever noble, is merely now a pawn in the bigger “game.” You see, te. get council's support for the plan, the chief’ had to agree to a three-year freeze on increased budgets for the department. No matter what, the arrangement clearly states, “The police board will not be requesting additions resources from council during the three ‘years of the agree: 1998 — North Shore News - 7 ment.” With that, the chief agreed ; to handeutiing the’ cops for a! three-vear period regardless of what might change in thar dime and without consulting the pe ice board. Bur wait, Doesnt the cur rent. collective bargaining agreement expire during that time? You bet. On Dee. 31, 1999, Considering there will be still two years to go on the expendicure. freeze azo that point, it looks ay though the chief has already given away any potential pay increment tor the department fong before the... unient Aad even conside vd its opening negotiating position, Now this has been’ denied by city hall, but the rank and file is very skeptical. For the captain of a ship already on the verge of mutiny, “TE suspeet that may turn out to be'a fatal mistake. 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