As the public and politicians digest the massive report into missing women linked to serial killer Robert Pickton, one recommendation is getting much of the attention.

The 1,400plus-page report, which was released on Monday and based on an inquest headed by former attorney general Wally Oppal, recommends a regional police force for the Lower Mainland.

It's an idea that appears to have tepid support from Tri-Cities mayors.

Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore said he's pleased with the RCMP right now, but would support the province at least studying the idea of a regional police force.

"Taking that to the next step, I think it's worthwhile taking a look at," he told The NOW on Monday.

However, he said it's difficult to say right now whether he would favour a regional model, noting cities have had success with the integrated model currently used by the RCMP.

The PoCo mayor said any review of a regional model done by the province would also need direct input from local government.

"We would want to be at the table as part of the discussion, not just being asked our opinion via a survey or odd meeting," Moore said.

Earlier this year, cities across the province signed on to a new 20-year RCMP contract.

But the contract rankled several municipalities and local politicians, who argued cities didn't get a big enough say in the deal.

As a result, several cities waited until the last minute to sign on to the deal, while others said they would consider other policing models when the two-year opt-out clause comes up.

Moore noted Port Coquitlam, along with Burnaby, Richmond and North Vancouver, looked into replacing the RCMP with a city force, but in the case of PoCo, there was no decision to go in another direction at this point.

Across the city limits in Coquitlam, Mayor Richard Stewart said he's open minded about a metro force, but appeared skeptical about the idea.

He argued serious crimes are already handled regionally and what he called the "silos of policing" - in which police forces don't work together - was addressed several years ago as a result of the Pickton case.

Stewart also suggested cities like Coquitlam would be subsidizing a regional force for places like Vancouver, which would come at a higher cost to the suburban municipalities.

He argued Coquitlam has done well reducing crime rates in spite of the fact the police budget is lower than in a big city like Vancouver.

Instead, the mayor said he would like to see all municipalities sign on to the RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

"We'd get even better results than we currently get," Stewart said, adding he'll be reading the missing women's report with great interest.

Just last year, the Port Moody Police Department signed on to an integrated homicide team with the Vancouver Police Department.

Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay did not return calls prior to The NOW's press deadline.

jdeutsch@thenownews.com