By Bryan Eneas

RCMP detachment coming to Ahtahkakoop

Apr 3, 2018 | 2:00 PM

The Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation will be home to a state-of-the-art RCMP detachment as soon as late summer.

RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Kent Ashworth said the Cree Nation is badly in need of its own detachment, a fact which can be clearly seen in the Crime Severity Index and police reports. He said 42 per cent of all calls fielded by officers at the Shellbrook detachment come from Ahtahkakoop. In comparison, calls from Shellbrook make up just 18 per cent of the calls.

“There is a growing need to have a more constant police presence,” Ashworth said.

Ashworth said the new location won’t have any impact on the police services currently provided in the Shellbrook area.

“This building will still be here,” Ashworth said. “The service delivery should not be impacted in any way.”

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Ashworth said five RCMP officers are currently under contract to service the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation as part of a tripartite agreement between the federal, provincial and local governments. The officers in Ahtahkakoop will work closely with RCMP in Shellbrook and Big River along with units from Blaine Lake and Spiritwood who all share the same radio frequency and sometimes respond to calls together.

The new detachment adds the potential for growth in the future, Ashworth said, because it will provide officers in the community with everything they need to do their jobs to the best of their ability. Ashworth said he’s also looking forward to the opening of the new location.

“What officer would turn down a brand-new state-of-the-art facility detachment being built?” he asked with a laugh. “It’s a step in the right direction, because I think the community of Ahtahkakoop and those around it will be served better in the long run.”

Ashworth said one of the biggest changes will come in administration, as most of the files currently stored at the Shellbrook detachment will be moved to the new Ahtahkakoop location.

paNOW contacted Ahtahkakoop’s Chief and Council for comment on the new detachment, but requests were not returned before deadline.

Bryan.Eneas@jbpg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas