The RNC Association is pleased with some of the budget provisions made to address staffing within the force.
The province has set aside funds to hire 46 new officers over the next two years – 25 with the RCMP and 21 with the RNC.
RNCA president Staff Sergeant Mike Summers (VOCM News file photo)
Staff Sergeant Mike Summers of the RNCA says short staffing leads to greater expense and burnout for existing officers.
He says when officers are needed to fill a shift, “that comes at a cost of having officers come back and work overtime.”
Justice and Public Safety Minister Helen Conway Ottenheimer (VOCM News)
Minister Helen Conway Ottenheimer says more officers means greater police visibility, and lends to a greater feeling of security in the community.
“We want to ensure that people feel safe…and the visible presence of officers in our towns…will do just that.” She says it will also allow the RNC and RCMP to focus on core policing priorities, like crime prevention.
