City bud jet cuts also af ctor:

TERRACE! S top RCMP
‘officer says a shortage of

‘members at the local de-
tachment means police of-
‘ficers can only react to

‘crime instead of trying to
“stop it in the first place,
Inspector Marlin De-

grand says the amount of
‘members .off duty for
‘medical, maternal or other
‘reasons

means less time
‘dedicated to drug enforce-

rived for various reason,”
Degrand says.

Degrand took over as
the detachment command-
ing officer just over i0
months ago months ago. .

“We reduced that to

two or three in the fall and.

now we're . mounting
again.”
On paper there are 25

positions paid for by the

city. Two are deliberately.

“members al the local de-
tachment are currently off
work or on limited duty
due to illness or other rea-
sons.

“We've probably had
more than what I would
consider a normal amount
of people off. for medical
reasons lalely,” he said,
“Statistically . sometimes
things like that _ do
happen.”

Police cope espite shortages §

The staffing fluctuations
are part of managing any
workforce and Degrand
says he doesn’t believe the
numbers of cops off work
in Terrace is much higher
than any other detachment
similar in size and com-
parable in demands.

Despite the restraints he

says officers are still able

to address major cases,
‘“The recent drug sei-

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ak campaigns, and
“Seat belt. enforcement.

- brought in line earlier this
“fall. are vacant.

dies short when I first ar-

Regional cops eyed

_A REGIONAL policing system that would fuse together’

~anti- -drinking and being kept vacant because
of city cost saving mea-
sures.

There are also seven
provincially-paid members

and none of those positions

“The numbers of off-duty
‘cops is rising despite being

““At one point in time

. ; The inspector would not
we were six or eight bo-

say how. many of the 30

“northwest detachments is one option being considered to
“put aid on escalating costs,

Terrace RCMP Inspector Marlin Degrand it would in-
volve merging forces in the region into a “super detach-

_ ment” that pools resources and money.

“Resources could be moved back and forth across the

“region. as needed, he said, adding they’d also save
. money by consolidating support staff.

_<“Instead. of five [data] entry clerks maybe you have
three," he toid city council last week.
A big reason to look at the concept is the expectation

“that the province will force small tawns and unincor-
‘porated areas like Thornhill to pay a much larger share

of policing costs — perhaps by 2004.
“It makes it more attractive for the regional districts
“and smatler communities to get involved,” Degrand said.
“Rather than wait for a regional policing model to ‘get

“set up elsewhere and then be imported to this region, he
“said it makes more sense to start working on a made-for-
“ the-northwest plan now.

“City council and RCMP officials are expected to dis-

a: cuss that possibility in greater detail in the weeks ahead.

Senior officer leaves
for Langley posting

*THE TERRACE RCMP detachment is looking for a new
second in command. Staff Sergeant Tom Forster is trans-
. ferring to Langley this spring and competition to fill his
“spot has already begun.

“The position has been advertised and interested can-
‘ didates are putting their names forward,” says Terrace’s
“lop cop Insp, Marlin Degrand. —_

Staff Sgt. Forster will’ be working. as a duty” non-co-

7 “missioned officer or watch commander in his new past-
ing,

When exactly he leaves is dependent on how quickly
‘he’ It. be able to sell his home here before. making the
>move, |”

"I'm certainly going to miss him. Staff Forster and 1
“work very well together,” Insp. Degrand said.

“He's very innovative — certainly he will do well in
Langley.”

“The position will likely be filled by an applicant
“Jooking for a promotion from the rank of sergeant.

Terrace’s Sgt. Jas Basi may be an in-house officer

i «who. could be eligible for the promotion but Degrand did
: hol confirm if he is applying for the position.

“He's as eligible as the next guy,” Degrand said,
adding the position is open to members from other de-
fachments as well.

“What you are looking for is the best person for the

job and whether that person is here or in Surrey you want
~ the best-person for the job.”

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He «insists the staffing
levels are not.cause. for
concern.

“At this point in time
we are nowhere close to
any sort of crisis,” he says.

““gures-are evidence that we

are still capable of being
proactive just.in a lower
level. sense of where I

‘would like it to be,” he

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