Fort Simpson (Mar 11/05) - Several members of the legislative assembly, including Nahendeh's Kevin Menicoche, called on the government last week to boost the number RCMP officers in smaller communities.

The lobbying came after the Justice department revealed that 10 newly created RCMP positions would go to communities that already have a detachment. There are 11 communities in the territory, five of which lie in the Deh Cho, that do not have a permanent police presence.

"Crime has been trending upward," said Menicoche. "I am in favour of the government addressing the gap that exists between the smaller communities and (larger centres)."

Menicoche said without a permanent police presence, residents of smaller centres are in a difficult position. It can take up to two hours for police to reach remote communities, enough time for a situation to spiral out of control, he said.

Even though some Deh Cho communities do not have a detachment, officers perform regular patrols in places like Wrigley, Jean Marie River and Trout Lake, said RCMP Staff Sgt. Bob Gray.

Gray said police review staffing positions each year to keep in step with crime trends. Personnel decisions lie with the RCMP, though the territorial government can set policing priorities.

According to statistics provided by the RCMP, the number of crimes reported in the Deh Cho jumped 50 per cent between 2001 and 2003. The Fort Simpson detachment saw an increase of 35 per cent between 2002 and 2003 while Fort Providence saw a 30 per cent jump. Fort Liard - the only other Deh Cho community with a permanent police presence - experienced a small drop.

Fort Providence will benefit from one of the new positions being created, but despite the increasing crime rate, two centres - which also field calls from the smaller communities - have been affected by cutbacks.

One policing position was eliminated from the Fort Simpson detachment last year as was a secretarial post in Fort Liard, Menicoche said.

"Unfortunately the communities are the first ones to face cuts," Menicoche said.

The Nahendeh MLA said he would like to see two more officers stationed in Fort Simpson. He also suggested a secretarial post in Fort Liard be added, which would allow officers to concentrate more on law enforcement than paperwork.

"This is something that should be addressed," he said.