RCMP decision to move centre out of Truro questioned
TRURO, N.S. — The announcement RCMP brass is moving the long-standing communications centre in Truro to Dartmouth by February 2021 isn't sitting well with local officials.
“I feel very strongly that what they are doing is putting Nova Scotians at risk,” said Cumberland Colchester MP Bill Casey following a recent meeting in Truro.
The information came in a closed-door meeting at Truro's Holiday Inn, chaired by RCMP Chief Superintendent Lee Bergerman, who is officer in charge of the Halifax RCMP H Division. Bergerman had met with employees of the Truro centre at a meeting earlier in the afternoon.
Truro Mayor Bill Mills said he wasn't happy about the decision and he questions both the RCMP'S wisdom and its reason for the move, which would see the transfer of 55 jobs to Dartmouth.
“It's a pretty hard pill to swallow,” he said. “I agree with the opinions based on the 2004 (RCMP) report that said the move wasn't a good move.”
Invited participants included Casey, Mills, Colchester County Mayor Christine Blair, a representative from MLA Lenore Zann's office and Millbrook Band Coun. Barry Gloade, who sat in for Chief Bob Gloade.
The media was banned from attending.
One of the reasons Casey said was provided for the transfer of services is there is empty space available in the Nova Scotia RCMP headquarters in Burnside which the force is paying rent on.
He said the group was also told the RCMP has issues with recruiting and training of dispatch personnel in the Truro area.
Mills said he suggested at the meeting that if staffing and training were an issue, a program could be established at the Truro NSCC campus to deal with it. But there was no indication from the RCMP that any such proposal would be considered.
Casey said it was no reason to put Nova Scotians at risk. “I intend to oppose this until I have a legitimate reason that makes sense or they change it.”
Casey said he has several reports, including the RCMP'S own 2004 findings that strongly recommend against having separate dispatch operations within 100 km of each other, in case a disaster leaves one inoperable.
“I've got four manuals that say don't do what they are doing,” he said. “It breaks every manual, every rule in the book. The number-one rule is geographic separation between communications centres.”
Another primary reason for not separating the communications centres is proximity of Dartmouth to the naval base and military munitions in the area.
“I just think they are being careless with this decision,” Casey said. “The rule right across the board is redundancy is everything.”
Blair said her impression is that the decision to transfer the service out of Truro is a done deal from a federal level without any serious consultation with local stakeholders.
“I found it extremely disappointing that they are planning to move the communications centre from this central location in Nova Scotia,” she said. “I think it puts our residents at risk to have all their eggs in one basket. I truly believe that they should not be relocating and that in time it is going to show that this was a bad mistake.”
RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Jennifer Clarke maintained the decision to relocate the centre “was based on extensive study and research, and considered all options presented through the lens of employee health and wellness, operational requirements and fiscal responsibility.”
Now that the decision has been shared, she said, the RCMP'S focus is on supporting its employees through the transition and ensuring the communications centre at its headquarters site supports police operations and provides a modern workplace.