By Roger White

Local RCMP pleased with Crime Prevention Team expansion announcement

Jun 18, 2018 | 12:00 PM

The Ministry of Corrections and Policing announced plans to expand its Crime Reduction Team initiative last week in a move welcomed by many, including the North Battleford detachment.

In total, $1.6 million will go to the Saskatchewan RCMP to help expand to the initiative. The team was established in February and has proven to be a valuable resource, according to Battlefords RCMP Insp. John Sutherland.

“Last week’s announcement clearly shows that the meetings that were held around the province were heard by the provincial government,” Sutherland said. “The message was delivered by the public to the province that more bodies needed to be made available to respond to rural crime.”

The new funding will be used for 14 full-time members; 10 police officers and four support staff. According to Friday’s announcement, one team will operate out of North Battleford while the other area will be based in Prince Albert.  

“It’s important to note that this is a team that will be dealing with prolific offenders who seem to cause the vast majority of problems in our area,” Sutherland added. “This unit will not be dealing with any addictions issues as such.”

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Sutherland said having these new jobs come to the area will also provide an economic boost to the communities.

“This plan to expand the Crime Reduction Unit will mean so much to the area, not only because of the obvious with reducing crime, but there is also an economic benefit,” he said. “The expansion will bring full-time jobs to the area, plus the officers with their families and all the intangibles that come with it.”

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @RJWtheReporter