Dauphin RCMP would like to have a conversation with the community.
And to begin the dialogue, a Community Policing Town Hall has been scheduled for the Aspen Lodge in the Parkland Recreation Complex, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m.
“The detachment has not been able to actually just have a discussion with the town, the residents in the community about what we do,” Sgt. Scott Linklater of the Dauphin RCMP detachment said, adding the event was originally scheduled for this past June, but was cancelled following the Carberry bus crash. “Policing has changed over the years and I’m not sure if people get that. So we want to be able to say what we’re doing, who we are, how many members we have here, what the state of detachment is and the services that we’re doing.”
On top of discussions about area crime trends and policing priorities, Linklater said they will be sharing some crime reduction strategies and will set aside some time for a question and answer period.
“I want to make some time for that so I can hear what they have to say,” he said. “I’m not going to talk about specific investigations, but if they want to know about issues that we’re dealing with or what’s going on.”
A key message Linklater wants to share is that community safety is an issue which requires a response from the entire community.
“I want to be able to explain that there’s a lot of things that are put on our plate that are more of a community issue that we all have to work together on, he said. “Finding resources for the homelessness and the mental health in the community and addiction, so there’s more resources for people to keep them out of the justice system.”
There is a perception that the justice system will not hold people to account, he said.
“So if we can do more programs outside (the justice system), I know there’s a lot of good people out there doing some different things,” Linklater said, adding supporting existing social services organizations and groups will go a long way to improving the situation for everyone. “Hopefully, employ the community to help these people out so that they’re not doing it alone and getting burned out, so that we do it all as a community. We’re all here for the safety of the community, the betterment of Dauphin.”
Ultimately, Linklater wants the public to be aware of issues in the community so they can make some informed decisions about getting involved and the role they might play.
RCMP members, he added are doing a good job in their role and he hopes being open about issues will help people to realize that.
“I think our members here do a great job. We’re not perfect, we’re human. We have members with two months service all the way up to 20 and 25 years service,” Linklater said. “I just don’t think the community is aware of what we’re doing, so I think this is a good opportunity to say what we’re doing, how we’re doing things, what’s changed, some of the trends that are going on and how they can help. At the end of it, I think it’s just going to be a good conversation. Hopefully some people see that we are doing something. Hopefully, they realize that they can help out, as well, and policing isn’t just the members of detachment, it’s a community thing to make everyone safe. That’s my hope anyway, just engage them at least. I don’t think it’s been done in a while and it’s kind of good to hear.”
