RCMP policing numbers grow as Swift Current City Detachment nears full strength

Areturn to normal staffing numbers has resulted in a larger number of reported offences in Swift Current.

Staff Sergeant Gary Hodges provided Swift Current City Council an update on community policing issues during Council's end of 2014 meeting. His report highlighted that there were 363 total occurrences during November, an increase from the 323 reported during November of both 2013 and 2012.

Staff Sgt. Hodges noted that after being short staffed for much of the year, the Detachment is now just one position shy of being at full strength. The have benefited from adding two new corporals to replace members who transferred during the summer, plus they now have three new constables on staff.

Having more members on the street has allowed the RCMP to record more offences. The largest statistical total came in the area of provincial traffic offences, with 148 reported in November, an increase from the 124 in November 2013 and a real jump from the 52 recorded during November 2012. The numbers also show an increase in year-to-date totals, with 1,708 recorded during the first 11 months of the year compared to 1,441 during

Swift Current City RCMP Detachment November Report

the first 11 months of 2013.

He also highlighted some successful police work in drug enforcement despite a drop in charges. During November there were six drugs enforcement violations, down from 15 in November 2013 and 45 in November 2012.

"You look at the statistics, they are down from previous, but we have had two substantial seizures as a result of search warrants that have been executed in the last basically month or so."

Staff Sgt. Hodges pointed to a November 13 arrest which resulted in a seizure of cocaine, prescription narcotics, and two restricted weapons were removed off the streets. Then on November 20 another search warrant was executed, resulting in a substantial amount of crack cocaine and marijuana being seized.

"Those drugs were believed to be in town, from Alberta, for the purpose of sale to people within the community. We continue to focus on those areas and work towards making the community a safer place."

He also reported a decrease in theft under $5,000 instances, one of the focusses in their policing plan.