RCMP traffic unit coming to Meadow Lake region

This year, a new traffic-based RCMP unit will be established in the region, which will mean more eyes on the roads in an effort to keep them safer.

Four constables and a corporal will make up this special unit based out of Meadow Lake. Staff Sgt. Mark Flodell with the Saskatchewan RCMP’s traffic section said the purpose of the new division is to provide more coverage and support to the local detachment and beyond.

“They’ll be patrolling the area around Meadow Lake and surrounding rural community areas, in addition to the detachment members that are already on,” Flodell said. “They’ll do projects together. It’ll greatly add to the visibility and response time.”

The officers are full-duty, able to respond to all types of calls but will focus mainly on traffic and road based work and more patrolling.

“They will deal with anything they come along on the road, like impaired drivers, traffic infractions and any drugs that are trafficking along the routes and highways,” Flodell said. “They’ll also assist with other calls. If there’s a call to a domestic [incident] and they’re close by they can act as the initial responder, and the [local] detachment will take over the call.”

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Phase one of this traffic unit project started in Saskatoon and central Saskatchewan last year, as well as the southeast corner of the province. The north and southwest are part of phase two.

Sgt. Ryan How of the Meadow Lake RCMP said the local detachment feels overwhelmingly positive about the addition of this focused unit.

“Having the additional RCMP members in the area will certainly help,” he said. “While [the] Meadow Lake Detachment won’t rely on this unit to supplement our response to calls for service, they’ll be very public and visible. A traffic unit also generally receives specialized training for its members, [like] recognition experts and collision analysts.”

How said Meadow Lake RCMP will continue to provide routine daily patrols, traffic education and enforcement to the area, but the new traffic unit will enhance this work, much like the relationship with Meadow Lake’s Community Safety and bylaw officer.  

“Meadow Lake is a very busy detachment,” he said. “We deal with very serious and complex investigations here so the members simply don’t have enough hours in the day to be on patrol as much as they’d like. We know that rural crime is a serious issue and simple visibility helps counter that. This is where we anticipate the most assistance from the new traffic unit.”

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath