Acting Staff Sgt. Josh Hallett is currently leading the La Ronge RCMP detachment. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

RCMP Update

RCMP discuss detachment ongoings with Air Ronge councillors

Jul 24, 2019 | 12:10 PM

The General Investigation Section (GIS) at the La Ronge RCMP detachment is starting to see results with the addition of two officers.

That’s according to Acting-Staff Sgt. Josh Hallett who presented to Air Ronge council some of the detachment’s ongoings at a regular meeting Tuesday. He told councillors before Staff Sgt. Kyle Watson was reassigned to work with the RCMP’s district management team, two existing positions were added to the GIS to work on crimes more serious in nature. There are now three officers working in the unit.

“With the addition of our GIS spots, we’ve had some really good work done in areas of gangs and drug enforcement,” Hallett said.

Some examples Hallett spoke of included search warrants executed April 27 on Far Reserve Road, June 22 at the Quarry Trailer Park, June 25 on Mikisiw Drive and July 18 at a Lac La Ronge Indian Band residence. He noted cocaine or crack cocaine was discovered during all of those searches, along with firearms. Other items seized at various searches also include cash, cellphones, laptops and marijuana.

“These are just some of the benefits we’ve had by moving these two members in,” Hallett said. “They are able to concentrate on some serious investigations whereas our junior members just don’t have the experience to do that.”

FSIN

Chief Bobby Cameron re-elected for fourth term as FSIN Chief

6h ago

Economy

Economy stalled in August, Q3 growth looks to fall short of Bank of Canada estimates

13h ago

Crime

Unbuckled seatbelt leads to firearm, drug charges for two men in Northern Sask.

Oct 30, 2024

A member of the GIS was assigned to work on incidents of vehicle mischief in Air Ronge and La Ronge. Hallett explained both communities have experience of about 20 such incidents each. The officer assigned to investigate will accumulate all of the files and attempt to draw connections between them, he said. He noted officers believe young offenders are responsible for the crimes.

The La Ronge RCMP is currently nearing the end of its first quarter according to its annual performance plan. Hallett mentioned the plan calls for 200 traffic tickets within the entire 12 months and so far 151 have been issued in the first quarter. He expects the detachment will far surpass its goal.

“They are good goals. Traffic is so important,” Hallett said. “It helps us educate people; we talk to people. A lot of time we get into vehicles and all of a sudden there’s drugs or booze. Traffic is crucial for us.”

There have also been 584 curfew checks in the first quarter with up to 17 being done every night on the most prolific offenders.

–

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno