RCMP to close Federal Serious and Organized Crime office in Burin

Officers to relocate to Gander and St. John’s

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Federal Serious and Organized Crime office in Burin is slated for closure.

The Town of Burin discussed the closure of the office during a regular council meeting on Tuesday.

“It is regrettable,” said Coun. Marcus Evans. “That’s a slow erosion of the RCMP presence on the Burin Peninsula, it’s not surprising but at the same time it’s sad when it actually happens.”

The Southern Gazette contacted Supt. Archie Thompson for comment on the reallocation of resources from the office in Burin, but he was out of the province on vacation.

Glenda Power, director of strategic communications for the RCMP provided a statement on behalf of the RCMP.

“The changes to the Burin Federal Office are taking place as a result of a national review by the Federal Policing Program,” read the statement.

“Our Federal Policing Program carefully researched and considered a number of factors and pressures before determining that the Program, across Canada, must re-focus its efforts on Organized Crime (including Outlaw Motor Cycle Gangs), Human Trafficking, National Security and Opioids, with investigations directed to the most serious threats to Canada by attacking criminality that transcends borders.”

Three officers with the Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC) are currently housed in Burin will be reallocated with two going to Gander and the other going to St. John’s.

“These movements will increase the RCMP’S capacity in intelligence and Serious and Organized Crime investigations” stated the release,

In addition to the federal unit Burin also has four positions as part of provincial policing those positions will also be reallocated, with two officers deployed as a Marystown Detachment General Investigative Services unit in an effort to increase investigative capacity and specialized skills under the Detachment Commander for the Burin Peninsula region. The remaining two will be redeployed as risk managers from within the provincial Operational Communications Center, supporting the work of police officers throughout the province.

“We expect these changes will take place over the coming months,” stated the release. “The RCMP’S commitment to the safety and security of the communities and residents of the Burin Peninsula is unwavering.”