RCMP details plans for Windsor detachment
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed Thursday it plans to maintain a robust presence at its Windsor detachment with an increased focus on monitoring the border.
In an email, Sgt. Lucie Lapointe, RCMP media relations officer for the Ontario division, called reports of plans to half the size of the 34-member force “erroneous.”
“RCMP Windsor detachment will have 27 regular members supported by three public service employees,” Lapointe wrote.
“RCMP Windsor detachment will focus on border integrity to secure our borders against the most serious criminal threats by building and maintaining a sustainable awareness through intelligence, integration, and partnerships to support interdiction and investigations.”
Lapointe was responding to stories quoting National Police Federation vice-president Peter Merrifield who was alarmed cuts would negatively impact the RCMP'S ability to monitor the busiest border crossing in North America.
The National Police Federation is the new union representing the more than 20,000 RCMP officers below the rank of inspector across Canada.
Merrifield said most project teams are made up of 10 to 12 bodies and dividing the remaining 17 bodies between the bridge and tunnel crossing points would severely limit the RCMP'S investigative ability.
Merrifield hinted the changes were related to funding and the RCMP'S challenges recruiting officers when competing against higher-paying police organizations.
The Windsor detachment is responsible for border security between official ports of entry, both on land and water. The RCMP'S marine section will also continue to operate a specialized Shiprider team out of Windsor.
The detachment is located on Riverside Drive at Jefferson Boulevard.
Lapointe said the RCMP'S focus on border integrity in Windsor wouldn't preclude investigations into serious and organized crimes from being done.
“The realignment of our border integrity structure does not mean that we will no longer be doing serious and organized crime investigations,” Lapointe said.
“While the Windsor detachment is border integrity focused, investigations that fall under the federal policing prioritization model will be transitioned to other serious and organized crime teams in the division for investigations.”
“(Ontario) division border integrity structure is supported by relevant intelligence which ensures that O Division remains positioned to deliver on its public safety responsibilities, demonstrates stewardship of human and financial resources and is responsive to employee safety and well-being.”
Lapointe added the changes in Windsor are an attempt to use resources and personnel in the best way to meet the demands of the local environment.
“The nature of crime within the federal mandate is becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex,” Lapointe said.
“The border integrity focus in Windsor ensures that the RCMP has the human resources and operational structure necessary to prevent and fight crime in an evolving threat environment.”