RCMP Staffing Levels in Vegreville Questioned

RCMP Staffing Levels in Vegreville Questioned

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

During a recent presentation by Vegreville RCMP S/Sgt. Terry Hyggen, there were several questions around staffing levels at the detachment.

In terms of staffing, Hyggen said three members were awaiting home sales before they can transfer out of the community.

He added that three constables were trained within the last year and have become valued members of the team. “A newly funded constable position was created in June, and we anticipate it will be filled by a cadet in the new year.” Currently there are eight municipal and four provincial officers in the detachment.

Hyggen said they continue to have the same number of boots on the ground, and there are eight members plus the SRO and one officer working in the rural section. Coun. Tina Warawa asked about the number of rotations in a day, but Hyggen said he couldn’t get into specifics mainly due to safety and privacy concerns. He noted that minimum staffing levels are maintained, but the division’s policy does not allow him to disclose specifics.

Coun. Taneen Rudyk said there is some concern municipalities are paying for policing, but not receiving services. Hyggen reiterated they have 12 members and they are closely monitored by its operations strategy branch at headquarters, and are based on the number of occurrences they are dispatched to as well as the geographic area, and the crime severity index they see on an annual basis. “We are not high on the index, however, there is a steady response to complaints. He went on to say, “what I can tell you is we have a compliment of members that are providing the services based on where they need to be.”

Referring to the stats, Hyggen said call volume for person’s crime was 90 calls for Vegreville and 46 in outlying areas. There were 256 calls for property offences in Vegreville and 140 in outlying areas. “Roughly two-thirds of our calls are within the Town of Vegreville.”

Hyggen reminded council of the amount of provincial resources the town doesn’t provide for, and includes undercover operators, general investigation services, crime reduction services, and air support services. “There are a lot of resources that council and the public are not aware of.” There are many other people involved in the safety of the community, not just the services of the eight members the town employs. “Rest assured the division and the district are also contributing to policing here as well.”