Annual Report Snapshot of RCMP services notes of challenges of COVID and range of detachment work in 2021

Members of the Prince Rupert RCMP Detachment had a year of
challenges and success stories in 2021

The City's Annual Report for 2021, released this week has offered up a snapshot of the challenges of policing from last year, with COVID restrictions having put somewhat of a roadblock towards some of their work.

Still, despite the restrictions in place, the members of the Sixth Avenue Detachment did find some success in crime fighting in 2021, targeting prolific offenders using curfew checks, breach investigations and intelligence led investigations. 

From that work, the Mounties conducted seizures of drugs and firearms with the appropriate charges making their way through the provincial court system.

The local detachment also worked closely with the Intensive Case Management Team to provide for a joint response for persons experiencing a mental health crisis. That Team concept responded to calls for assistance on 85 occasions in 2021.

Traffic enforcement also was a focus for the city's police officers, with 719 traffic contacts and 115 impaired driving investigations taking place in 2021, 59 of which resulted in  sanctions for drivers.

The members were also busy off the streets, involved with the Police based Victims Services program which created the Consent project for Grade 9-12 student at Charles Hays Secondary and Pacific Coast School.

They also developed a Homelessness Project to provide basic needs and transportation options for the homeless population that are affected by crime and trauma connected to an RCMP file, and facilitated two Trauma Loss Support Groups which were 8 week long programs.

click to enlarge

2021 saw the start of the plan to replace the aging and near obsolete Sixth Avenue West Detachment, with more progress towards the new build for the corner of McBride and Third Avenue East moving forward this year.

Demolition is in the future for the old Jehovah Witness 
Hall at Third and McBride as the city prepares for the build
of a new RCMP detachment on that site

2022 also has brought the arrival of a new Officer in Charge for the Prince Rupert detachment the first full time commander to be in place since 2020.

Sergeant Gerald Walker, who is working towards Inspector status shortly, provided for a glimpse as to how he will shape the future of the detachment at the most recent City Council Session. 

Our notes on his presentation and the Question and Answer period with City Council can be reviewed here.

More notes on the work of the members. of the Prince Rupert RCMP can be reviewed from our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.