Editor: Re: Seven bike cop positions lost in Burnaby, May 23, Burnaby NOW.
As the vice-president of the Licence Inspectors’ and Bylaw Officers’ Association of B.C., I was surprised by the term “civilian” that was quoted by (safety committee member) David Pereira to describe bylaw enforcement officers.
Bylaw enforcement officers are tasked with enforcing many regulations important to maintaining safe, livable communities. Would the term “civilian” be used to describe a firefighter, a commercial vehicle enforcement officer or a special constable with the BCSPCA?
I do realize bylaw enforcement officers have a different role in public safety than the police, but using the word “civilian” makes it seem as though they are regular citizens volunteering in the community.
Bylaw enforcement officers are peace officers and can have a significant role in public safety when utilized effectively. They have the legal authority to detain and arrest individuals they see committing an offence, something that “civilians” cannot in most cases.
Local governments need to address the rising costs of policing and the gap in public safety that exists between doing nothing and hiring additional police resources. Bylaw enforcement officers are a cost-effective complement to public safety initiatives that can deal with social nuisance issues that do not always require police involvement.
Steffan Zamzow, Burnaby
