By Spencer Sterritt

Nanaimo RCMP requesting 15 more officers to handle ‘tremendous spike’ in files

Nov 29, 2018 | 4:24 PM

NANAIMO — RCMP were busier than ever in 2018, grappling with high-profile murders and a rapid increase in petty crime.

Police are expected to handle roughly 48,000 files in 2018, which superintendent Cameron Miller said is a “tremendous spike.”

The number of files rose 9.5 per cent from 2017. Since 2014, the number of calls to Nanaimo RCMP has increased nearly 29 per cent. It means every general duty officer handles 600 calls a year.

Miller explained to Nanaimo city council the number of files handled by officers jumped when the fentanyl crisis escalated in 2016 but rose only slightly in 2017.

It’s a snapshot into the many overwhelming pressures on Nanaimo RCMP and the 154 sworn officers tackling crime.

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Miller said the fentanyl crisis is tied to an increasing number of mental health calls, which is taxing officers. A hefty amount of administration tied with every file is also adding hours at the desk instead of on the streets.

Though civilian officers can help ease the administrative burden, Miller said only so much can be done.

“We think we’re pretty close to the max of being tapped out of anything civilians can do,” he said. “Pretty much all of my officers are on the road in positions where have to be a sworn officers capable of affecting an arrest.”

To handle the rapidly escalating number of calls for service, the Nanaimo RCMP is requesting 15 new officers to be hired over a number of years. The request includes 10 general duty members and five specialized investigators or officers.

A request for more officers has been long standing with the City. A plan formulated back in 2009 suggested 24 officers would be needed by 2017. Fifteen officers were added over the years, including three positions created in July, 2017.

Miller said adding more officers to the detachment will actually save the City money.

Roughly $800,000 has been spent on overtime so far in 2018, which Miller said is enough to pay for roughly five-to-six officers.

Adding three new officers a year would add roughly $2.3 million to the City’s contract with the RCMP by 2023.

The staffing request will be considered by Nanaimo city council during deliberations for the 2019 property tax increase and budget, which will take up a considerable amount of their time in December.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit