Saint John police will be responding to fewer medical calls in the new year as part of a pilot project.
The one-year pilot will streamline medical call response with an aim of enhancing community safety and efficiency.
Chief Robert Bruce presented the plan to members of the Saint John Board of Police Commissioners on Tuesday.
Bruce said his officers currently respond to every medical call in the city, alongside paramedics and firefighters.
“Members often arrive well after EMS and fire, thus an ineffective use of our resources,” said the chief.
As of the end of September, members responded to 1,386 medical calls, including 508 overdose calls.
Bruce said they discussed the plan with Ambulance New Brunswick, the Saint John Fire Department and NB 9-1-1.
“All stakeholders agree that the Saint John police should only be responding to medical calls if certain criteria are met,” he said.
Officers will continue to respond to medical calls if they are nearby, or if the call involves criminality or a violent person.
Bruce hopes the changes will allow frontline officers to focus more on core policing issues and have more time for community engagement.
“There will be a significant cost saving to the city as we all no longer be doubling up on resources, like fire and police,” he said.
The pilot project will begin on Feb. 1. The police force will provide quarterly updates on the pilot to the police commission board.
