Alberta town worries over RCMP deployment to Sask.

December 29th, 2006 · No Comments

CBC News

The deputy mayor of one of several Alberta towns temporarily losing RCMP officers to Saskatchewan jails during a guard strike says his community can’t afford to be short-staffed.

Truper McBride said Cochrane lost two of 11 officers to Saskatchewan, despite worries in his booming town northwest of Calgary about increases in break-ins and vandalism.

“There was concern, because we’re not really in a position as a community to have policing levels decrease,” he said.

“I don’t think my council would approve releasing two members to go do anything else right now, because they are needed in Cochrane.”

McBride said Cochrane would ideally have two more officers in its detachment.

Local clothing store Gadabout Garb has seen business increase this year, but manager Birdie Blackwood is concerned about crime.

“I think you feel a little more secure that [police are] out there, and they’re just a phone call away if you need them,” she said.
On strike since Dec. 20

About 800 jail guards and youth-centre workers in Saskatchewan have been on the picket line since Dec. 20. RCMP members from detachments around the province have been filling in at correctional facilities since then.

The Saskatchewan Government Employees Union’s collective agreement with the provincial government expired in September, and the two sides have been unable to reach a new deal. Wages are a major part of the dispute.

Earlier this week, the RCMP asked the federal, Alberta and Manitoba governments to send in 250 extra police officers from those provinces. The reinforcements are being deployed at the jails.

Alberta has sent 172 officers, the equivalent of at least one member from every detachment in the province, to Saskatchewan until Jan. 6. The officers were taken from rural assignments and will only be gone for about a week.

“We are going to be there to provide a sense of safety and security for the work place that is being affected, and that is the provincial correctional institution,” said Corp. Wayne Oakes.

The RCMP says the holidays are usually quieter for front-line policing.

“It will have some impact obviously,” Oakes said. “But we have to keep in mind as well, this is not a unique situation, and given the size and structure of the RCMP … we have a large body of personnel that are able to help out.”