(Police Chief Bill Reid)
(File Photo)
The Saint John Police Department is in a state of transition with alot of knowledge and experience leaving through retirements and new officers coming on board. That message was delivered to the Police Commission which heard a presentation on training.
Police Chief Bill Reid tells CHSJ News the new officers are now being trained on recognising the signs of mental illness. The Chief says this type of training should have been implemented a long time ago because, more and more, officers are dealing with people who are suffering from mental illness and need help rather than incarceration.
The Police Commission also heard the police department is under budget as of the end of August to the tune of more than 398 thousand dollars but was told the cost of D-N-A testing averages 40 thousand dollars a year but is escalating which is a worry. The province does not help out with any funding to offset the cost.