By Sheldon Spackman

Enhanced Service

RCMP eyeing efficiencies at Sylvan Lake, Rimbey detachments

Oct 17, 2019 | 2:52 PM

RCMP are looking to explore efficiencies and deliver a better policing model through a proposed pilot project recently shared with Sylvan Lake Town Council.

At their meeting on Tuesday, council heard about the Sylvan Lake/Rimbey Operational Pilot, an initiative also hoped to provide employees with a better shift schedule and work/life balance for those working out of the Sylvan Lake and Rimbey RCMP detachments.

Shahin Mehdizadeh, Chief Superintendent, district officer, Central Alberta District, says it’s critical to look at different options to maximize resources during times of fiscal pressures.

“’K’ Division routinely examines operational capacities of detachments, and in Central Alberta District we have been looking at opportunities where Detachments can better align their resources and work in a more strategic partnership to deliver their services,” Mehdizadeh wrote in a letter to Sylvan Lake CAO Wally Ferris.

“Maintaining public security, while ensuring employee well-being and safety, are a large part of our primary responsibilities. As such, we endeavor to explore innovative strategies that allow us to provide a professional and responsive police service to all Albertans.”

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Mehdizadeh’s letter says the pilot project would provide higher quality and more responsive policing to Lacombe County and Ponoka County through a much more manageable shift schedule and availability of resources.

“This can be accomplished through a better partnership between neighbouring Detachments,” he explained. “The proposed model will provide an improved work/life balance for our members. This can only translate into a better level of service to your residents.”

RCMP officials note that no formal plans or details have been put in place at this point.

Town of Sylvan Lake spokesperson Joanne Gaudet, says council made inquiries of the RCMP delegation related to logistics, cost, and any potential impacts to staffing or service levels with the proposed pilot.

No directives have been given to Town administration at this time.