Justice
May 14, 2007

The following statement was issued by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Justice. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Minister Recognizes National Police Week

I rise in this house today to recognize Police Week and to pay tribute to our two outstanding police forces in our province.

Police week began in 1970 with collaboration between the Government of Canada's office of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and its provincial counterparts. It starts on the Sunday in the week and always contains the 14th day of May, ending on the following Saturday. Today, May 14, is recognized internationally as Peace Officer Memorial Day.

During Police Week, community groups will join with police services in arranging special activities and displays that promote the concept of police and community working together to enhance public safety and security. At this time, police take the opportunity to highlight the services and technology they provide to their communities.

Earlier today, I joined with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to celebrate with some of our province�s young people to help them to understand the important role police officers within our community. And later today I will participate in honouring long-time RNC members � it�s certainly a wonderful part of my ministerial duties.

I believe our government has proven that we, too, value their role with our investments into policing.

In Budget 2007, this administration responded to the recommendations of the Lamer Report by investing more than $2 million in this fiscal year. Many of those resources are dedicated to policing. We provided the funding for 16 new RNC positions, and extended the recruit program for another three years.

In addition, this budget strengthens the RCMP with an additional $3.4 million investment for nine regular member positions to improve community policing, highway traffic services and district policing. We will have more RCMP officers in our communities as well. In total, our government has increased its funding to our police forces by nearly $20 million since 2003.

I would like to applaud and thank everyone who works in the policing field and encourage them to partake in activities this week that celebrate them. They certainly deserve it.

2007 05 14                                                      2:20 p.m.

 


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