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DETACHMENT POLICING
Background
- Contracts that stipulated the RCMP take over provincial
policing began with an agreement with Saskatchewan on June 1, 1928.
- Similar agreements were later reached with the provinces
of Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island,
British Columbia and Newfoundland.
- The first municipal contract that required consultation
between three levels of government was signed with Flin Flon, Manitoba,
on April 1, 1935.
- The RCMP provides cost-shared policing services to
all provinces and territories, except Ontario and Quebec, and to 198
municipalities in the Atlantic, Prairie and Pacific regions.
Organization
- Basic operational unit of the force.
- Systems and procedures standardized across the country.
- Supplemented by a number of satellite and community service officers.
- Many provincial detachments are combined with municipal
ones, saving money and increasing efficiency.
- Detachment personnel perform virtually all the functions involved
in delivering police services at 652 locations across Canada.
Resources
- Access to specialized support units (identification, forensic lab,
police dog, dive teams, etc.)
- 28 Emergency Response Teams strategically placed around the country,
available to respond to hostage-taking or other emergency situations.
- Partnerships with social service organizations that offer assistance
in family or youth counselling, alcohol or drug abuse and community
crime prevention programs.
Officers
- Majority of new RCMP regular members go directly to detachment duties
and serve three to five years in general policing before moving on to
specialized fields.
- Many enforce statutes from three levels of government and must be
acquainted with municipal by-laws, provincial acts and federal statutes.
- Must also be aware of the specific problems or features of the community
as the public's most frequent and personal connection with the RCMP.
- Encouraged to participate in police/community programs (i.e. community
service clubs, sports activities, guiding/scouting movements, etc.).
- Perform virtually all the functions involved in delivering police
services at 652 locations across Canada.
- Versatility is key as duties often involve demands and considerations
other than enforcement and investigation.
Investigations
- Officers use their knowledge of the law to determine which statute
has been violated and the legal requirements to prosecute the case.
- When an investigation begins, the officer gathers evidence to identify
one or more suspects.
- Once identified, the officer sees that the suspect is charged and
brought before court.
- The officer must then provide and present evidence in a clear, concise
and complete manner.
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