(Screenshot of Saskatchewan Crime Watch site)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

RCMP Comms

Battlefords RCMP to roll out new communications method

Jan 31, 2025 | 8:00 AM

A new way of communicating police activity is coming to the Battlefords.

“This came from consultations with all of our elected officials that I’ve met with so far and even conversations with the public,” said Inspecter Ryan How of the Battlefords RCMP Detachment.

“They’ve been very clear that there’s been a communications gap with the RCMP locally in terms of timely and meaningful information getting out and this is specifically when we have a larger police action in the city.”

How said residents are often left wondering what is going on so, they’ve taken steps to remedy that “and make sure that information can flow almost to the second when we’re out doing some enforcement.”

The service will work much the same way as a Voyent Alert. Information will be released in a few lines over through the free subscription-based Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network app.

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“The public can go on to that website saskcrimewatch.ca and sign up,” he said, adding the public will also get to choose which detachments they want bulletins from, which will then go straight to their phones.

“Then you’ll get real time information direct from the detachment.”

With regards to the media getting the information in a timely manner, How said they still need to make sure they are doing a thorough and proper job while following legislation.

“We also have to be cognizant of the court process as well and that we’re respecting victims and the accused in that circumstance,” he said.

“In regards to the immediate awareness, that’s something that we can take steps to deal with.”

The app is also non-intrusive and anything that is urgent or at risk to the public’s safety, they won’t be putting through the app, but rather provincial alerting systems.

“What we’re dealing with on a local level is just to fill that information gap so people can be aware of what the police are doing and assist us, if need be,” he said.

The rollout is expected to happen next week.

julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social