Assaults down, drug possession up in 2007

Mac Olsen
South Peace News

The High Prairie RCMP detachment is one of the busiest in Alberta, ranking sixth in 2006. And it is likely 2007 will be the same. S/Sgt. Stephen Daley made the prediction as part of his 2007 police report to council Dec. 19. He had some observations about the detachment’s resources and demographic trends while presenting crime statistics for 2006-07. Daley says the RCMP, including the High Prairie detachment, is undergoing demographic changes in terms of age and experience of employees. Five members have transferred out over the last year and all but one of the replacements (Daley) are cadets from the RCMP Depot in Regina. Daley says the average years of service for constables in High Prairie is 2.4 years. However, it can be expected to fall over the next five years because a large number of employees will reach retirement and be replaced. “It means that we have and will have a young, enthusiastic workforce that will require significantly more guidance and supervision than several years back,” says Daley. The High Prairie detachment had to deal with staff shortages in 2007. For instance, the detachment lost approximately 2,690 hours because of sickness or injury. In addition, four cadets transferred in, but they require six months of field training, so they cannot be placed on the shift schedule until they have at least four months of service. This is an additional 2,560 person hours lost. All told, 5,250 person hours were lost, or the equivalent of being shorthanded by 2.73 members for the entire year. More on the staff shortage below, concerning support personnel. Daley also says the detachment responded to two per cent more calls for service in High Prairie during 2007 than 2006. He adds that the calls for service are five per cent higher when all areas covered by the detachment are taken into account. “Your policemen and women have worked extremely hard to handle the increase in request for service, and to compensate for the high level of person hours lost to sickness or injury. I am very proud of their efforts and dedication,” says Daley. As for the crime statistics, 10 categories showed increases in 2007, while eight other categories declined. For example, there was a 30 per cent increase in drug possession (26 charges were laid in 2007, compared to 20 in 2006), and an 80 per cent increase in break and enters (27 charges in 2007, and 15 in 2006). There was also a 35 per cent increase in the robbery/extortion/criminal harassment category (44 charges in 2007, and 35 in 2006). Assaults were down by 29 per cent (106 charges in 2007, compared to 149 the previous year), and property crimes under $5,000 declined by 38 per cent (32 charges in 2007, compared to 54 in 2006). In an interview, Mayor Rick Dumont says the Town of High Prairie has been trying to deal with crime as best as it can. “You’re always concerned about when crime is up. The Town has been addressing that with the addition of the enhanced (policing) officers and our special constables,” says Dumont, adding that the dog-handling unit will help as well. Daley says the two enhanced policing positions have been filled, and they will start in early 2008. He commends the M.D. of Big Lakes, Town of High Prairie and the Peavine Métis Settlement for funding these positions. The High Prairie detachment also requires more support staff. In an interview, Daley said there is an unwritten detachment-to-support-staff ratio, which is four regular members to one support staff member. At present, the High Prairie detachment has nearly 20 members and three support staff.

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