By Nigel Maxwell

Northern reserve frustrated with RCMP policy

Nov 29, 2010 | 10:58 AM

People living on Cumberland House First Nation said a 43-year-old man's life could have been saved if the RCMP response time was better.

“I say to myself one of these days, by the time the cops get there, that person is (going to) be dead before the cops even arrive there,” said Marilyn Laliberte, a resident.

“They transfer you down south, then you wait for a response for 45 minutes after the first call was made,” said Raymond Dussion, another community member.

George Macauley, 25, is facing murder charges following the death of the 43-year-old on the Northern Saskatchewan first nation last weekend. He appeared in court Monday morning, but has not yet entered a plea.

A Preliminary hearing date has been set for next March in Cumberland House at which time they will discuss if there is enough evidence to go to trial.

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Residents said incidents like Friday’s murder are rare, but they are worried about the response time.

The RCMP detachment in Cumberland does have an officer on duty 24-hours a day, but due to staffing issues, calls that are made after hours are forwarded to Regina.

The dispatcher then alerts an officer in Cumberland House.

“I think maybe they feel comfortable talking to people they know, and phoning down to Regina is a change in the process that they are not comfortable with. But we are trying to educate them and let them know that this is the process and it works,” said Sgt. Dave Brunner, with the RCMP.

Brunner said the issue is not one he can address at his level, but he has passed the information along to the higher chain of command.

nmaxwell@panow.com