Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Apr 07/00) - A shortage of RCMP members at the Fort Simpson detachment is a temporary situation and will be rectified soon, according to William Sweeney, G Division's commanding officer.

Sweeney responded in writing recently to a letter of concern from Fort Simpson Village Council. In his reply, he promised to return the detachment to capacity at seven members, but he admitted there's a difficulty in finding available RCMP officers right now. The Fort Simpson detachment is currently making due with four members.

"In the past few years the RCMP has experienced a retirement rate which exceeded the pace that we were training new cadets," Sweeney explained in the letter. "Our training academy is now operating at full capacity and we expect to be able to fill all our authorized positions as our new cadets graduate from our academy."

There were actually only three members available this past weekend as one constable was away.

The Fort Simpson detachment is also responsible for policing Jean Marie River and Wrigley, where a spring carnival was held on the weekend without any RCMP presence.

When asked whether the absence of police was an indication of being short-staffed, Cpl. Steven Corcoran replied after a lengthy pause, "We weren't asked this year. I know last year we were asked to attend (the carnival) ... having said that, I guess I'm always taught to state the obvious -- there was only three of us and the three of us were working days here in town (Fort Simpson)."

Pehdzeh Ki Chief Albert Moses said Tuesday he is not sure whether his staff had followed through with a request to have police in Wrigley, but they had been advised to do so.

"For a gathering like this, they should have the police here all the time," he said. "Even when we have our assembly and spiritual gathering we always have somebody here. They should be (here) anyway for all the gatherings."

Staff sergeant Jack Kruger, Western Arctic southern district commander based in Hay River, said there has been relief staff from Hay River and highway patrol assigned to the Fort Simpson detachment at various times throughout March to lighten the load. Kruger said he anticipates the detachment will return to its full capacity by summer.

"Fort Simpson will be up to strength, that you can take to the bank," he said Tuesday.

Corcoran has been the detachment's acting commander since the sergeant departed in September. Two constable positions are also vacant, one since October, the other as of last week.

Corcoran said a replacement constable is expected to arrive from Yellowknife as soon as the ferry is operational.

The Deh Cho's other detachments, in Fort Liard and Fort Providence, are currently operating at full capacity with three staff members each.