The RCMP is concerned that they can no longer fund the National Police Services. For those of you who don’t know, the NPS maintains not only the databases of fingerprints and criminal records for Canada, but also the Canadian Police Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and the nation’s sex offender registry.
It’s estimated that this year alone over $28 Million will be spent to maintain the database, which contains information about fingerprints, criminal records, missing children, and the sex offender registry. Federal funding has dropped by $20 Million since 2006. To make up the deficit in funding, the RCMP has been using monies from their budget surplus to maintain this program. However, a recent push for recruitment of RCMP staff and officers has resulted in an elimination of the surplus.
Clearly this is an important service, and one necessary to protect the public. The Centre for Missing and Exploited Children runs the National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre,which agency is responsible for investigating and responding to internet-based crimes against children. The Centre also coordinates the National Missing Children Service.
Beyond that, many citizens need to be able to have criminal record checks performed as a precondition to employment, particularly where the employment involves working with children. It is possible that without a system to provide these checks, some individuals may suffer financially.
So there is a need for this service. But who should bear the responsibility of paying for it?