Mayor expresses frustration over RCMP vacancies in Fort St. John

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John City Mayor Lilia Hansen is expressing her concerns and frustrations over the local RCMP’s vacant staff positions.

Hansen wrote a letter to Garry Begg, B.C.’s minister of public safety and solicitor general, saying the positions are “an important component of provincial contribution”.

The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) recognized the letter during its January 23rd meeting.

According to Hansen, the regional general investigation service positions were introduced to the detachment almost 20 years ago, but have been vacant for three years.

“During this time, we have made numerous inquiries with the RCMP who have occasionally reassured us that efforts are being made to staff these positions,” Hansen wrote. 

The positions are reportedly crucial in supporting serious investigations in the Peace region, including in Dawson Creek, Hudson’s Hope and Chetwynd.

The mayor wrote that the inquiries have led to no results, leading her to believe the reassurances were not genuine. 

“We have been given the impression that these efforts have stopped and that the RCMP feel they can adequately serve our needs from Prince George.

“We are particularly suspicious of the sincerity of efforts to staff these positions since communications from the RCMP have repeatedly sought to reassure us and convince us of the absurd notion that our regional needs will be better served by resources based on the other side of the Pine Pass. I will not spend much time rebutting this clearly ridiculous notion.”

Later in the letter, Hansen says she learned the positions were intended to be removed from an inadvertently copied email.

After challenging the decision, the mayor was allegedly told the same quality service could be provided to the region from Prince George, which Hansen strongly objects to. 

“It is absurd to suggest that these positions could provide the same support for our region remotely,” said Hansen. 

In concluding her letter, Hansen requested that law enforcement resources be restored. 

Energeticcity.ca contacted the Fort St. John RCMP, and it said it expects a response from its senior management team in the coming days.

The full letter can be viewed below: