NORTH BATTLEFORD — Increasing staffing and working to reduce property crime are among the Battlefords RCMP’s goals for 2026.
Battlefords RCMP Insp. Ryan How discussed some of the police service’s objectives for the year ahead in a recent interview with SaskToday.
Dealing with the current staffing shortage is one of the local RCMP’s main priorities.
"I'm very pleased to say that we have a lot of incoming members, experienced members coming into the Battlefords," said How. "Word is getting out that this is a great place to live and it's an amazing place to work if you're a police officer. So we have a lot of interest from experienced members wanting to come and live here. As those members arrive, our resources will stabilize."
The RCMP is looking at bringing in many more experienced officers in the next couple of months.
The Battlefords RCMP is also focusing on strengthening its efforts to combat property crime.
"We really want to increase the visibility and decrease the response times," How said. "I think that's our priority. We have to remain nimble and available to the public."
Dealing with prolific offenders is also a priority for police.
"In addition, we have some creative ideas waiting for the resources to arrive where we can start tackling some of the more prolific offenders, leveraging some technology," How said. "It just takes some extra time and resources to do that, and multiple members. So once we have more members in place, we'll be able to really start getting some creative initiatives underway."
Regarding the former liquor store building in downtown North Battleford, the RCMP are still working to convert the space for use as a training facility and to host provincial units.
"Detachment resources are going to stay in this building [the detachment]," How said. "We're going to expand our footprint municipally because there'll be adequate space for us here. But the provincial units and support units will be moved next door, and [it will be] a training facility as well. It'll be an RCMP support services building."
