The commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP is pushing back after what he calls a growing public narrative questioning the force’s performance and response times.
In a statement released this week, A/Commr. Robin McNeil said he “could not let this conversation about public safety continue” without addressing what he is seeing across the province.
Communities have raised concerns about violent crime, addictions and slow response in rural and remote areas. McNeil acknowledged the frustration, but said officers are facing the same pressures every day.
“We are your Provincial Police Service and we will continue to proudly support the communities where we work and live,” said McNeil.
He cited a decade of rising calls for service. According to the RCMP, calls for service in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction have risen 45 per cent in 10 years. Violent crime is also up 45 per cent, while “violent firearm offences have tripled over the last decade.”
McNeil said social issues like addictions, gang involvement and mental health are driving much of the demand.
“Policing alone won’t solve them,” said McNeil. “The Saskatchewan RCMP is only one piece of the response. Social issues are complex and require a coordinated, multi-agency response.”
Response times under scrutiny
McNeil said response times vary dramatically depending on geography, weather, call severity and the number of other emergencies happening at the same time. He noted that in many remote or northern communities, police are also pulled into roles normally handled by other services.
“In many of our remote, rural and northern communities, police officers aren’t just solving crime – they also may respond to fires, to medical emergencies, and to mental health crises,” said McNeil.
He stressed that behind every detachment is a network of specialized teams including the Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams, Critical Incident Response Team, Traffic Services, Police Dog Services and Major Crimes.
“These units respond to communities throughout the province – no matter how remote,” said McNeil, who thanked the province for supporting those teams in recent years.
Pride in front-line officers
McNeil defended the force and the people who serve in it.
“I see firsthand everyday the excellent work the police officers and staff of Saskatchewan RCMP do. They are dedicated, resilient and above all, committed to maintaining public safety,” he said. “Don’t forget – these are our communities, too.”
He closed his statement by expressing “the utmost pride and confidence” in his officers during a time when public scrutiny, crime trends and staffing pressures continue to collide.
“They are undoubtedly maintaining the safety of Saskatchewan communities,” said McNeil.
With crime, addictions and social needs all climbing, the debate over what policing should look like in Saskatchewan is unlikely to fade any time soon.
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The problem is not with the police service it is with the justice system. How many of these crimes are from repeat offenders that the courts keep releasing back out into society? When someone has been arrested multiple times and they they continue to get away with it what is their deterrent? I believe there should be a 3 strikes rule and if you haven’t learned by the 3rd time around then you get a few years to figure out if maybe you should forge a new path. If you choose to reoffend then you keep adding on more time than the previous charge. They can’t do much if they are inside the jail.