Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 7, 2008
HAY RIVER - The RCMP has released a backup policy to guide members when they go out on emergency calls.
The policy, which is now in effect, was approved on Dec. 19 by the RCMP's senior executive committee and will be included in the force's operations manual.
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Under the policy, the following types of calls require a mandatory response from more than one Mountie:
calls of violence or where violence is anticipated;
domestic disputes;
an occurrence involving the use, display or threatened use of a weapon;
a subject posing a threat to self or to others;
a response to areas where communications are known to be lacking; and
any situation where the responding officer believes a multiple-member response is needed based on his or her risk assessment.
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The policy has been in development for several years, but the issue of backup became more prominent with the recent killings of two RCMP officers, Hay River's Christopher Worden and Douglas Scott in Kimmirut, Nunavut.
Both were on duty alone at the time of their deaths.
Sgt. Larry O'Brien, the media relations officer for the RCMP's G Division, said the new policy will affect the number of call-outs and overtime budgets.
"Obviously, it's going to mean less free time for members," he said.
O'Brien said the policy will also require a review of staffing levels and budgets, and a possible redeployment of resources.
"That will be part of the long-term picture," he said, adding it is not known how long the review will take.
O'Brien said the effects of the policy will mostly be felt in smaller detachments, especially the eight two-person detachments in the NWT.
Asked if the policy might eventually lead to the end of two-person detachments in the North, O'Brien replied, "Certainly, it's a possibility."
However, he said some two-person detachments are not overly busy and the types of calls on the backup policy list are not common occurrences in smaller communities.
In a large detachment like Yellowknife, he said there is a complaint on the list every day, but there are enough officers to easily adjust to the change.
O'Brien said one possibility, which is still in the idea stage and was brought up in 2006 discussions on improving service, is a return of special constables.
Special constables are community people hired by the RCMP, given training and allowed to carry firearms. They would perform most police duties, except investigate crimes.
They can provide backup to regular officers.
There are currently no special constables in the NWT, since the positions were phased out almost 20 years ago.
Communities still have auxiliary constables, who are volunteers, however they cannot carry firearms or provide backup.
In announcing the backup policy, a top RCMP official said safety was the primary factor.
"Ensuring the safety of RCMP members, as well as the communities they serve, was paramount in the policy's development," said Bill Sweeney, the RCMP's Deputy Commissioner, in a prepared statement in Ottawa.
Sweeney said the policy will not prevent a member from taking action prior to the arrival of backup based on his or her risk assessment of a situation, for example a domestic dispute where grievous bodily harm or death is imminent.
"Our next steps include the development of a detailed implementation plan with our contract partners and other federal departments including implementation dates, something that will take some time," Sweeney said.
However, he said a portion of the policy has been communicated to all employees, enabling them to use it immediately, if and where possible.
Sgt. Nathalie Deschenes, a spokesperson for the RCMP's national headquarters, said there was previously no formal backup policy.
"It was more like a judgment call," Deschenes said, explaining officers could ask for backup at any point based on their experience, risk assessment and training.
Deschenes said the policy's full implementation will cost tens of millions of dollars.
"It's too early to give a precise figure," she said, adding dialogue will take place with the provinces and territories.
Deschenes said it is also too early to say if the policy will mean new officers for the force, but it may require some relocation of people.
Staff Sgt. Ken Legge, a member of the RCMP's staff relations program, said the policy is a positive first step in reducing risk for officers on the front line.
Speaking from Fredericton, N.B., Legge said implementing the policy is going to take time and money.
However, he said safety of both officers and the public is the main concern, not the cost.
Legge said the policy also takes pressure off officers, especially young Mounties, who may have been hesitant in the past to call for backup for financial reasons.
"Whether it was real or perceived, it was there, for sure," he said.
"Members were making those judgments and putting themselves at risk."
