As Canada takes more measures to flatten the curve of COVID-19, the RCMP says it is doing its part to keep Canadians safe and healthy in a statement from March 20.
There has been no change to the RCMP’s response to critical and emergency matters. RCMP detachments remain open and local police officers continue to be present in the community to ensure safety. Out of respect for social distancing, and in consultation with local authorities and health professionals, the federal force has made the following changes:
- Some RCMP detachments across Canada are reducing or suspending certain front-counter/in-detachment services.
- Members of the public are encouraged to check with their local RCMP detachment for more information on services currently available.
Last week, the RCMP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre ramped up public awareness efforts to protect Canadians from various scams that attempt to take advantage of people’s natural anxiety over the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and engaging with Government of Canada partners such as the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada and Public Safety to ensure a co-ordinated response,” the RCMP stated. For the latest updates on the COVID-19 situation, including preventative measures, please visit Canada.ca/coronavirus.
RCMP employees are encouraged to check the RCMP intranet (Infoweb) or to contact their manager for the latest employee information.
On March 19, most training was suspended at Depot Division, the RCMP Training Academy. Four existing troops will complete their training and graduate over the next week. Their training schedules have been modified to permit this. The ceremonies will be closed to all visitors, including family. There will be no family orientation, chapel service or banquet. This will enable the RCMP to deploy more than 120 new police officers to frontline operations across Canada.
All remaining troops are being sent home and a departure plan based on the availability of flights and other transport is now being implemented. All incoming troops have been postponed but will resume once cleared to do so by provincial and national health agencies.
As of 1:30 p.m. on March 20, there are no presumptive or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the RCMP Academy.
Regular members on staff who are deemed fit for duty may be re-deployed to frontline duties in Saskatchewan or anywhere in Canada where they may be required.
It is too early to announce when public RCMP events may be re-scheduled.
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