And since he said he is looking after officers welfare, we also asked the Commissioner about a repeated concern we've heard from police officers that pertains specifically to transportation.
As we told you last night, the Police Commissioner wrapped up a countrywide tour of police facilities yesterday. While he was touring, he met with the rank and file of the police department to discuss the biggest concerns they have about issues that negatively affect their ability to perform as lawmen.
One big one is the lack of transportation for officers who live in one district, but is assigned to a police station in another. Late at night, after these officers complete their tours of duty, public transportation is not available, and so they have to hitchhike to get home and get their rest.
The Police Commissioner was adamant that the Department is not obliged to arrange transportation for such officers, since they are given housing grants to ensure that they can find lodging near to where they work. It appears that the Commissioner has relaxed from that hardline a little, and he said that he does not like that his officers risk their lives by having hitch a ride home during hours that no bus is available. Here's that conversation on that topic:
Chester Williams - Police Commissioner
"The Police Department is under no obligation to provide transportation to its members. We do pay officers a housing allowance, up to $300 a month, to be able to assist officers to rent where they live. But yes, we understand that some officers do reside, or choose to reside outside of where they work. And because of that, they believe that they are entitled to transportation, which I've said is not the case. But, as a matter of welfare, and looking after the interest of our officers - I personally do not feel good seeing my officers hitchhiking at night. I do believe that it is hazardous for them. And so, we will continue to see what we can do through the ministry to be able to alleviate that problem. We have a bus company that we work with that used to do 2 runs per day for police officers at a reduced cost. I have discussed the matter with the bus owner, and I've said to her that we don't want the 2 runs. We only want 1 run. The run will be for the night shift. That will bring the officers who are going to work at 11, and takes those officers home who come off at 11. So that, we don't have to have officers hitch hiking to come to work at 11, and officers hitchhiking going back home after 11. She has agreed that she can do it, but I will have to sit down with the Minister to see what assistance the ministry can assist with where we can give some assistance toward the cost of the transportation, so that the officers wouldn't have to pay the full price that they would normally pay. Currently, I think we are paying her $1,000 monthly. Maybe we can up that to $1,500 or $2,000, and see how that will be able to help to make the cost more minimal who commute. But, like I said before, we're under no obligation. We're going to see what we can do."
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