Merritt RCMP receiving two new officers

During the 2020 budget Merritt City Council approved funding for two additional RCMP officers.

Since then the request from the Merritt RCMP to expand their roster has been working its way through provincial and federal governments and was approved.

“I’m happy to report that we’ve now in March, filled one of those positions and coming up in June, we have identified a member from the RCMP training academy to join us,” said Merritt Detachment Commander Staff Sgt. Maj Steph Drouin.

“With the arrival in June, it will give us a full complement of 26 regular members, 17 of those positions being funded by the City of Merritt and the rest being funded either by the Provincial or Federal Government,” added Drouin.

During the recent Police Committee meeting at City Hall, the detachment commander also outlined the strategic focus for 2021.

“The strategic focus for the police force, when not engaged in a direct front line policing response activity, is identified yearly through internal and external consultation,” said Drouin.

For 2021, the detachment is focusing on four main points;

• Enhance public safety
• Enhance the relationship with indigenous communities
• Substance abuse
• Leadership continuum