RCMP Watch

Chronicle Herald
A rural municipality in Cape Breton is withholding its payment for RCMP service, saying it’s frustrated by delays in filling vacant positions.

Victoria County council wants the province to pressure the RCMP into providing a full complement of officers to cover the Baddeck detachment.

Baddeck has been without a staff sergeant since September and is down one constable.

Victoria County is billed for 10 RCMP positions — five with the Ingonish detachment and another five in Baddeck.

County CEO Sandy Hudson says it’s understandable the RCMP doesn’t have the personnel to staff all positions as soon as they become vacant.

But after six months, he says, the force should have someone in place.

“We expect that by withholding the funds, it will move the process along,” Hudson said Wednesday. “If it doesn’t, there is still no reason to pay for an empty position.”

The county is expected to get a bill within the next few weeks for $250,000 to cover the last quarter of RCMP coverage.

During Monday’s regular session, council voted to pay only $150,000, stating the RCMP hasn’t provided the coverage for which the county is being billed.

“The officers are dedicated and doing the best with what they have, but they need more bodies,” Hudson said. “If you call for an RCMP officer, one will respond, but you have three officers covering the duties of five.”

Victoria County pays the province more than $1 million each year for RCMP services. This translates into about $100,000 per position.

Sgt. Frank Skidmore, provincial RCMP spokesperson, said policing is being maintained in the county despite the shortage of officers.

“The RCMP brings in members on overtime or from a neighbouring unit when required,” he said.

He said a staff sergeant will move soon to Baddeck from Ottawa and a constable is expected to be named within a month.