RCMP says it’s ramping up recruitment in B.C., but mayors and policing experts say staffing crunch is hurting public safety in the province
New numbers from the RCMP show that it is missing nearly a fifth of its work force in British Columbia, the result of unfilled vacancies and members off on extended leave – a staffing crisis that impacts investigations and call-response times.
But when asked how many more positions are left vacant by Mounties taking extended leave, the numbers indicate a deeper problem: Some 638 officers have been away for more than a month, as of Jan. 31, 2023 – representing 9.5 per cent of all Mounties in the province, which is two percentage points higher than the national average.
Federal Mounties and Staff Sergeant Kris Clark, a spokesperson for the force in B.C., both said in e-mailed statements that the RCMP is constantly assessing where to plug staffing holes to protect public safety, and a special team of Mounties has been created to fill temporary vacancies across the province.
Mike Morris, a former commander of the RCMP in the north of the province who then served as solicitor-general under the previous B.C. Liberal government, said the hundreds of unfilled positions have created a vicious cycle. Mr. Morris, now the provincial public safety critic, said those who are showing up to work must endure more overtime and higher caseloads – inevitably leading to more burnout and more officers going on extended leave to recover.
High vacancy rates mean it is difficult for officers to cover for a colleague if they need to take off a day or a block of shifts to process trauma experienced on the job, she said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
RCMP arrests 3 women after they return to Canada from ISIS camps in Syria | Globalnews.caTwo Edmonton women who were supposed to return to Canada have gone missing.
Read more »
Quick-thinking senior thwarts a second scam attempt: Burnaby RCMP'It's disgusting to see a scammer posing as a victim services employee while trying to defraud this senior for a second time.'
Read more »
Calgary police, RCMP descend on Chestermere acreage for investigation - Calgary | Globalnews.caDozens of members of the Calgary Police Service and Alberta RCMP were on the scene of a property east of Chestermere, Alta., searching the grounds behind a shop space on Friday.
Read more »
RCMP vacancies worsen burn out in B.C.RCMP says it’s ramping up recruitment in B.C., but mayors and policing experts say staffing crunch is hurting public safety in the province
Read more »
'None of this makes any sense,' says wife of man shot by Duncan RCMPDavin Cochrane was shot by police on March 28 when he refused to top while driving a construction machine along Duncan streets.
Read more »
Road closure in Kananaskis Country due to missing person: RCMPRCMP have closed a road in Kananaskis Country as part of a missing person investigation.
Read more »