Cumberland Council Reviews RCMP Service

Cumberland RCMP made a detailed presentation of their current services to Cumberland county council.

It is another step in the municipality’s review of policing services. Provincial regulations require the county to meet with its current police provider to establish a baseline of services before considering any other policing options.

Staff Sergeant Craig Learning outlined numerous services provided by the RCMP from outside the county, including specialty investigators and support services.

However, council was more concerned with the day to day operations within the county.

Learning noted that 40 police officers are stationed within the municipality, though only 36 have actually been regularly available due to illness, maternity leave, and other factors.

Learning also emphasised that the district policing model — a team approach — provides better service with more resource flexibility and decreased costs for overtime.

Council has long favoured a community model with police living near and working from a detachment office. In other words, police stationed in a community pretty much stay in that community, except for outside emergencies.

The service currently costs more than 400 thousand per year, and the recent certification of an RCMP union has increased the cost by about eleven percent.

Council will continue its review, including alternate proposals for policing.

Add your comments below.