BARRHEAD-It might be some time before rural Alberta RCMP detachments see any additional resources.
At least in terms of extra boots on the ground.
That is what Sgt. Bob Dodds told Town of Barrhead councillors during their April 28 meeting.
In recent weeks, Dodds has been visiting the municipal councils served by the Barrhead RCMP Detachment detailing the top priorities for the department in its annual performance plan (APP) in addition to updating councils on the latest crime statistics.
Responding to a question by Coun. Dausen Kluin who asked if there were special police units similar to the Crime Reduction Units (CRU) to help deal with the increase in person crimes (crime committed directly against people).
In March 2018, the province gave the RCMP $10 million to hire 39 officers, as well as 40 civilian members and 10 Crown prosecutors. These resources would be used to form CRUs - mobile units whose primary function is to help reduce crime in rural areas.
Kluin noted he was specifically concerned about the increase in sexually related crimes and domestic disputes.
In the first three months of 2020, Barrhead RCMP recorded six sexual assaults and four other sexually related offences as well as 10 domestic dispute/spousal abuse complaints.
For the latter, is the lowest number in five years, however, he is concerned that number might increase due to the stress on relationships COVID-19 is causing, noting two days prior members responded to two spousal abuse complaints that were not reflected in the first quarter statistics.
For more about the crime statistics and the APP see the story on Page A20.
Dodds said although they did have resources they could call upon to help victims of sexually related crimes, such as the Barrhead and District Victim Services Unit and Edmonton's Zebra Child Protection Centre which supports victims of abuse as their cases work through the legal system, there is no specific unit rural RCMP departments can call upon to help solve those type of files.
"On a case-by-case basis, if we can't deal with it in-house we can bring in members from major crime or the general investigation unit," he said.
Staffing levels
Currently, with the exception of the vacant corporal position, the detachment is fully staffed with seven general duty constables, not including the student resource officer (SRO).
Dodds noted that most of the SRO's time is devoted to general duty, now that the school's are closed, but said she is still in contact with students via the Internet.
Coun. Ty Assaf asked about the status of the extra RCMP members the United Conservative Party government announced in December that they would make available as part as its rural crime reduction strategy.
Starting this year, counties and municipal districts and communities under 5,000 will have to start paying a portion of their policing costs.
In 2020, municipalities will have to contribute 10 per cent. Their share will rise every year until it reaches 30 per cent of policing costs by 2023.
The funds, in part, will be used to add 200 additional civilian support workers and 300 RCMP officers.
"The new resources hasn't happened yet, nor will it anytime soon because of COVID," he said, adding they were lucky to get a member from one of the last troops that graduated from the RCMP's
training depot before it shut down.
He noted even when the depot resumes training there would be a lag until new members graduate.
"Unfortunately, attrition is still taking place, members are retiring or are moving on to different careers, so we will have to fill those positions. Then we have to wait to see if Barrhead is identified as one of the places that need those extra resources right off the bat," Dodds said, noting it was doubtful. "Just in our district we are way down the list. The problems we have pale in comparison to what other communities have."
He added even if those extra resources were available immediately, they would have relatively little impact.
"All we can do is control it," Dodds said, noting the vast majority of crime is drug-related, specifically meth. "It's an addiction and societal issue and that isn't something that is solved through policing."
