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Sask. premier wants explanation for RCMP vacancy rates

Dec 7, 2016 | 4:19 PM

The premier wants answers on the RCMP staffing issues in Saskatchewan.

Emails obtained exclusively by the CJME/CKOM newsrooms show a real issue of unfilled vacancies, particularly in the northern part of the province.

Currently there is a 15 per cent vacancy rate in the north and eight per cent in the south.

Since it was elected in 2007, Premier Brad Wall’s government has increased funding for police, including to the RCMP.

Given that reality, Wall is seeking more information.

“I think it’s reasonable that municipal leaders, urban and rural, know where those officers are, and I would like to know where they are,” Wall explained.

“If there’s great vacancies that aren’t being filled or can’t be filled, whatever the issue is, we need to know that.”

Wall contends this speaks to a wider issue that is a concern for all involved.

“At the end of the day there is also a fundamental responsibility on the part of the police force that you contract with, in this case the RCMP, to deliver core public safety,” Wall argued.

“And if that contract is not being able to be fulfilled for whatever reason in terms of numbers, in terms of officers, you bet that’s a concern.”

 

Email smills@cjme.com

Twitter @smillsSK