Battlefords RCMP welcomes Ryan How as new detachment commander

How said he spent his career in northern Saskatchewan in communities including Spiritwood, Meadow Lake and Loon Lake.

“Most recently, I was the north regional manager of the Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams,” he said.

Looking ahead, Insp. How acknowledges the work done by his predecessor and the relationships that were built over his tenure.

“I’ve found that already with some of my meetings with the elected officials and First Nations that there is a very positive relationship in that leads into the detachment as well,” said the inspector.

“Not only have I been impressed with what he’s built here but the mentality of the members and work ethic of the members here.”

The new appointment comes as Insp. Gilbert, who will stay in the Battlefords will be moving into a new role focusing on strategic planning.

In an email to battlefordsNOW, Gilbert said among the strategies include developing “efficiencies and innovation with regard to modernizing policing within the RCMP in Saskatchewan.”

Additionally, they are looking into the feasibility of the drive in/fly in models, amalgamations and the creation and implementation of a fourth district.

As he moves into his new role, How explained it was important to look at any criminal activity that takes place in and around the community through the lens of public health.

“Looking at the causes and the root causes of why people are acting out or committing crimes or into mental health or addictions,” he said.

“The police play a very small yet surgical role in this. We’re very effective at violence reduction and crime prevention but we need our partners engaged as well.”

To help in that endeavor, How explained he’s looking forward to working with the local agencies and building upon a crime reduction plan. One of the areas they are hoping to get back to basics with force – that being policing.

“For a long time and traditionally, the RCMP has been the safety net of a lot of communities and in fact a Swiss Army knife of a lot of northern communities and more isolated areas,” he said.

The inspector explained that much of the time officers’ spend is with people going through an acute mental health crisis in the hospital. By getting them to the proper services, he said the detachment, which is expecting more resources in the coming year, could spend time on investigations.

“We have to get back to our core policing and we have to be able to access the resources that are actually trained and able to benefit and help the people that need it,” he said.

Currently, members rely on supervisors and others to make the determinations as to which calls take priority.

“That’s a very difficult ask of them and clearly, since I’ve been here, I’ve heard from the public that response times and visibility is an issue,” he said.

Seeing ahead, How also envisions a safer downtown.

“I’d like to have a strong police presence but in a way where we’re also working with partner agencies and have a visibility downtown,” he said.

“Whether it’s foot patrols or the crime prevention unit or working with, maybe mental health workers.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: jueslovett.bsky.social

by Julia Lovett-Squires

Battlefords RCMP welcomes Ryan How as new detachment commander

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