Cold Lake, AB – An additional RCMP officer, approved by Cold Lake City Council in its 2022 budget, will be arriving in the coming weeks.

The arrival will bring the Cold Lake RCMP Detachment strength up to 33 RCMP members.

“The Cold Lake RCMP detachment is busy and crime has been on a lot of residents’ minds,” Mayor Craig Copeland said. “Our council is committed to ensuring our detachment has the resources it needs to do its job, while we also pursue innovative avenues to tackle crime and find the vulnerable people in our community the support they need.”

The Cold Lake RCMP Detachment will now operate with one staff sergeant, two sergeants, five corporals, and 25 constables. The detachment has a complement of four public servants, seven municipal employees and three victim services workers. It is also home to a General Investigative Section (GIS), which focuses its efforts on organized crime, drug trafficking and targeting prolific offenders.

Since 2018, a Police Dog Service (PDS) has been stationed at the detachment. The PDS is not restricted to a detachment’s service area and responds to calls as required.

Also operating out of the detachment is a three-member Lakeland Crime Reduction Unit. This unit was established with the help of the M.D. of Bonnyville and focuses on the City of Cold Lake, the M.D. of Bonnyville, the Elizabeth Metis Settlement, the Fishing Lake Metis Settlement, the Village of Glendon, as well as each community’s surrounding areas. Its focus is on local prolific offenders and property crime.

“We are very fortunate to have such a positive relationship with the leadership of our community,” Sgt. Ryan Howrish of the Cold Lake RCMP Detachment said. “We appreciate the support from City Council as we apply our Crime Reduction Strategy and work to reduce criminal activity in our community.”

In addition to the increase in resources for the Cold Lake RCMP Detachment, City Council has recently extended funding for the Commercial Security Watch program to the end of this year. Its continuation will be the subject of debate during council’s 2023 budget deliberations.

“We realize that crime is a complex issue and City Council is focused on putting a variety of resources in place so that the RCMP can continue to serve our community confidently,” Copeland said. “We have a great relationship with the men and women who serve in our RCMP detachment, and appreciate their commitment and dedication to our community.”

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