Shakeup, review in works for Charlottetown Police Department

A major shakeup is in the works at the Charlottetown Police Department that the police chief says will make the force more accountable and more in tune with its members.
Paul Smith is welcoming five new sergeants to the force in an effort to ensure supervisors have a better handle on what cops on the beat are up to on a regular basis.
The Guardian has also learned that Mayor Clifford Lee will hold a news conference Friday where the city will announce an in-depth review of the police force.
Lee could not be reached for comment Tuesday but a source said the review will look at how police can better address issues such as late-night rowdiness. Nothing is being said publicly right now because the city wants to discuss the issue with the police department first.
The review will take into account changes in the rank structure underway at the department.
There used to be two sergeants and nine corporals. The new structure will see five sergeants and five corporals. The five new sergeants are Mike Quinn, Gordon McConnell, Gary McGuigan, Tom Clow and Brad MacConnell.
Smith says the changes will bring the Charlottetown police department in line with other police forces in the region.
But he said it won't mean more cops pushing paper. He said those sergeants will still be on the streets.
"What that does, it gives us better accountability and oversight with a sergeant overseeing each division," Smith told The Guardian.
"They are both inside and outside - they have administrative responsibilities plus they have operational responsibilities as well."
The five sergeants will oversee the four squads within the 59-member police force in addition to the major crime unit. The new structure will mean there will be a sergeant responsible for each of the five divisions.
The changes will cost the force slightly more, but some of those additional costs were offset by a series of retirements this year.
Following council's meeting Monday night, Lee said the changes will bring the capital city force in the line with other departments in the region.
He said the changes will also make the force more accountable to both city hall and its residents.
"It's important to note that we are not increasing the number of personnel in the department, it's really an internal promotional competition," said the mayor.
Danny Redmond, who heads the police committee on Charlottetown city council, said he's confident the changes will also make the police force more efficient.
"I'm hoping to see statistics," said Redmond.
"There were concerns a month ago about not enough people being caught speeding. So now I'm hoping to see how this will change in terms of performance within the police department and what our officers do."