'Running out of people:' Documents contradict Sask. RCMP vacancy claims

An internal memo from provincial RCMP suggests vacancy rates are posing a dire problem in Northern Saskatchewan.

650 CKOM obtained paper copies of an email thread dated Nov. 3 discussing the issue within the context of the Northern Sask. youth suicide crisis.

A source claims the internal memo was later “retracted in fear of the truth getting out.”

The first email in the thread was allegedly sent by Supt. Grant St. Germaine, North District commander in Prince Albert, with the subject line: “Current HR Situation – North District – Provost Issues – Relief Request – La Ronge Detachment.”

“At the current time, the (North) District is operating 15 per cent short of bodies,” it reads.

“To provide some context, units such as Wollaston are operating with four out of eight, Stanley Mission with three out of five.”

The numbers are higher than those released by RCMP little more than a month earlier. At a Sept. 29 news conference in Saskatoon, RCMP Supt. Kris Vibe said when accounting for unfilled positions, paid leave and training, the official vacancy rate in the province is 3.3 per cent.

The issue of understaffing has plagued Sask. RCMP in recent months following an uptick in rural crime and the recent suicide crisis in the north.

“We are running out of people. I hate to say that I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I can’t. We are in dire straits.”

The internal email from November hones in on the latter, stating neither the La Ronge detachment – nor neighbouring detachments – are able to provide relief or support due to their own HR issues.  

It states that starting Nov. 14, La Ronge Detachment will be running short four regular member constable positions due to transfers/replacements and disability leave, as well as two crime prevention/crime reduction officer positions currently vacant.

“It is anticipated that La Ronge will be short up to nine positions by January (2017) due to two parental leaves and one regular member constable leaving the force,” it reads.

“We are running out of people. I hate to say that I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I can’t. We are in dire straits.”

The email is noted as a follow-up to a briefing note sent the night before about a RCMP member injured in Stanley Mission while “transporting a suicidal patient.” It goes on to say ambulance services rely on members to escort people described as violent.

“No big deal, but then we don’t have the people to respond to complaints in detachments because they need to have some time to rest.”

The email goes on to discuss the Prince Albert Provost Unit. While Germaine notes the team has been “awesome,” he expresses concern over two members who are on short-term disability and not expected to return.

“That’s going to leave them with three Provost members and a reservist. The runs they are scheduled to do on Mondays alone takes up eight to ten bodies.”

To make up for the lack of staff, members from another detachment are called in to assist. Meanwhile, the email notes a RCMP staff sergeant in Saskatoon has told some members they can no longer help the P.A. team on days off.

In the email, Germaine asks for the vacancy issue in Northern Sask. to be discussed as an agenda item for Nov. 15.

The memo is then shown to be forwarded by RCMP Insp. Teddy Munro, the operations manager for South District, asking for those included to reach out to commanders and see if some members can be freed up.

Munro states the South District vacancy rate is sitting around eight per cent.

The email thread finishes with a note from RCMP Insp. Teddy Munro, where he asks for members to help – and to keep the memo quiet.

“I ask that you do not share the attached email with anyone outside of this office!!”(sic)

Saskatchewan RCMP are expected to address the issue in a live interview with host John Gormley at noon.

Editor’s Note: Personal information has been redacted in the following PDF version of the email thread referred to in this article.