Insp. Ryan How, detachment commander for the Battlefords RCMP, is shown inside the Battlefords RCMP detachment in North Battleford. (Submitted/Saskatchewan RCMP)

By battlefordsNOW staff

Saskatchewan’s largest RCMP detachment

More than 20,000 calls kept Battlefords RCMP busy in 2025

Jan 22, 2026 | 4:00 PM

Battlefords RCMP responded to more than 20,000 calls for service in 2025 as officers continued to balance enforcement, crime reduction, and community engagement across the region.

According to Saskatchewan RCMP, the Battlefords detachment is the largest in the province and provides 24-hour policing to more than 25,000 residents in the City of North Battleford, the Town of Battleford and five First Nation communities.

“We’re getting out and getting engaged with the community, but we’re also getting back to core policing and making sure we stick to what we’re best at, which is policing and enforcement,” said Battlefords RCMP Detachment Commander Insp. Ryan How, in a statement.

Read more: Crime trending downward in the Battlefords as RCMP doubles down on core policing

He said officers handle a wide range of responsibilities beyond initial calls for service, including court and prisoner transport, training, public safety education and ongoing investigations.

Team Canada forced to settle for silver

Overtime hockey heartbreak closes Milan Cortina Olympics for Canada

4h ago

LOCAL TALENT

'It really just feels amazing': Host district River West wins 30 medals at 2026 Sask. Winter Games

4h ago

Olympic men's hockey final

Team Canada loses to U.S. in overtime gold-medal game

7h ago

“They know they’re going to be busy every time they get to work, and it’s something new every day,” he said.

Battlefords RCMP officers formally participated in more than 60 community events in 2025, and increased their presence in downtown North Battleford. In partnership with the City of North Battleford, social agencies and local businesses, officers completed more than 600 foot patrols in the downtown core.

“While patrolling downtown, officers regularly meet residents facing mental health and addictions challenges,” How said. “We know enforcement alone isn’t the answer here, arresting and charging is not going to be the solution to this.”

He said officers work “with a compassionate lens” to connect people seeking help with available services.

Community engagement activities included teddy bear clinics, bike rodeos, school presentations and powwows.

In December, officers organized a “Cram the Cruiser” food drive that collected more than 4,200 pounds of food and $3,500 in cash donations for the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre.

Read more: ‘We totally beat last year’: RCMP collect over 4,200 pounds of food for Battlefords food bank

Donations fill the Battlefords RCMP command truck during the Cram the Cruiser food drive in North Battleford on Dec. 6, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

In 2025, Battlefords RCMP also expanded collaboration with First Nations partners.

In October, the Sweetgrass First Nation Security Team assisted in the arrest of a wanted person after identifying the suspect and coordinating with police. Security officers maintained surveillance and established roadblocks until Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team arrived and arrested the individual.

“This arrest is a clear example of what we can do when we work together,” How stated.

Police also launched targeted property crime prevention night patrols last September, using foot and bicycle patrols in uniform and in plain clothes in both North Battleford and Battleford.

There was an 11 per cent decrease in property offences in the last quarter of 2025 compared with 2024, police said. Over the past five years, property offences declined by 12 per cent, with break and enters down 21 per cent since 2023.

Battlefords RCMP Detachment in North Battleford. (submitted/Saskatchewan RCMP)

The detachment also worked with specialized RCMP units throughout the year, including the Serious Crimes Unit, Police Dog Services, Forensic Identification Section and General Investigation Section, as well as provincial units such as the Emergency Response Team and Homicide Investigation Unit.

Over the course of last year, the Battlefords Crime Reduction Team–Gang Task Force executed 16 search warrants, seizing cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and MDMA, along with 17 firearms, 21 other weapons and more than $8,600 in proceeds of crime. Officers also recovered nine stolen vehicles and charged 38 individuals.

In North Battleford, the city’s Crime Reduction Team executed 96 warrants, seized 10 firearms, recovered stolen vehicles and supported frontline officers on targeted enforcement efforts.

“Residents are safer anytime dangerous drugs, illegal weapons and wanted individuals are removed from communities,” How said.

—

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com