The Sundre RCMP’s acting commander recently provided council with an update on the first quarter of the detachment’s annual performance plan.
“We’re pretty much on par with meeting most of our targets, minus the habitual offenders management program,” said Cpl. Joe Mandel during the Aug. 20 meeting
“As of this stage, we still haven’t found individuals that meet the criteria. Doesn’t mean that they’re not there, we just haven’t located them yet. The ones that were on the program last year don’t meet the criteria, being that they’re either in jail or moved away. So the program’s working effectively in that regards.”
The annual performance plan’s first quarter spanned to June 30 from April 1, during which time the detachment received 580 calls for service. Those included 27 person crimes — seven of which resulted in charges — as well as 90 property crimes, entailing all types of theft, of which about eight were filed with charges, he said.
As for school presentations and youth engagement goals outlined in the performance plan, the corporal said he could not comment on that as classes were at the time still out. However, traffic education and enforcement efforts remain ongoing, he said.
“We’re out there trying to enhance safe roads,” he said, adding concerns regarding motorists turning against double solid yellow lines along Main Avenue have been expressed.
Although retired Sgt. Jim Lank, the detachment’s former commander, had wanted to engage an educational component, the corporal said the window of opportunity for such an initiative had passed.
However, members have been stopping motorists for infractions, although statistics have not been tracked, he added.
“That being said, I’ll make sure that it gets documented for the next quarter.”
Offences for infractions such as turning where prohibited across solid centre lines, which can impede the flow of traffic, can result in fines ranging up to $233 from $155, he said, wrapping up his presentation and opening the floor to questions from council.
Mayor Terry Leslie wondered about the situation regarding the detachment’s complement of members.
“A new commander has been named,” the corporal replied.
“His name is Jody Achtymichuk. He was promoted from Coral Harbour, Nunavut, and he’ll be transferring here with his family,” said Mandel, adding the new commander had just the week prior successfully completed a house hunting trip in town and expects to move to Sundre, as well as begin his new position, in early October.
“He’s been with RCMP since 2002, so 16 years of service,” most of which was in Manitoba, he said, adding Achtymichuk’s experience varies from general duty policing and major crimes to covert operations.
“He’s pretty excited about coming here — I think we’ll make a good team.”
Regarding the roster of regular members, some of Sundre’s officers have been rotating through paternity leaves while another is completing field training. Once those leaves and field training are complete and the new commander starts, the detachment will be at a full complement, said the corporal.
Leslie also asked if there were any updates about the ongoing effort to secure a new RCMP detachment for Sundre, to which Linda Nelson, chief administrator officer, said no.
“The community, as a whole, really appreciates the opportunity to hear how things are going,” the mayor told Mandel, expressing gratitude for the presentation.
