CARLYLE - The Carlyle RCMP detachment, among many others around Saskatchewan, held a special afternoon and evening to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the RCMP.
In Carlyle, the event was held on July 13 at the Carlyle Happy Gang Hall from 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
Outside, they had two police ATVs and a police unit, which displayed the equipment needed in the vehicles.
Inside, everyone was offered a piece of cake and a drink before sitting down.
Staff Sgt. Michael Shortland spoke to the crowd of approximately 30 people of all ages.
Shortland had a slide presentation explaining how the detachment is divided up into work units.
Carlyle RCMP covers a large area which includes Carlyle, Arcola, Forget, Kisbey, Manor, Redvers, Wawota and Kenosee Lake, along with the White Bear and Pheasant Rump First Nations, and the RMs.
There are 13 members at this detachment, including the sergeant, and they have room for three more members to fill the team. Rural communities can struggle with getting members to work in the area, as officers usually go to the big cities.
Shortland joined Carlyle last year and has been an officer for 19 years.
He spoke on the five-year plan for Carlyle and area, including the thefts, and break and enters, in the towns and surrounding RMs.
Often theft is related to drug use, he said, and citizens should be aware of their surroundings at all times.
Shortland emphasized to do the call-ins for even a small theft.
“The detachment does not know about it, unless they get that call," he said.
Often that small piece of information can lead to solving a much bigger crime.
Throughout the year, they like to do quarterly visits to the schools. They feel it is important to keep a good relationship with the youths. They also hold a yearly meeting with the public.
Volunteering is also done by the members, which is done on their off time. Some participate in their kids' sports as coaches and others help at fundraising events.
They talk about the major problems and divide into groups and focus on solutions. They might take photos and notes.
At Christmas they do a community drive to raise donations for those in need, which goes over well.
The detachment also helped with solving a historical crime that happened 20 years ago, and two members attended Country Thunder in Craven to help with enforcement.
Constable Kelton Coates is the Carlyle traffic officer who has been an officer for seven years.
Shortland explained how it works when a person is released from jail on conditions, such as a curfew.
If the curfew is for 11 p.m., an officer will go and check to make sure the person is at home, but they will also do a check at a later, undisclosed time to ensure the person did not sneak out of the house.
Const. Avery South has been an officer for one year and Const. Doug Pilgrim has been an officer for 1 1/2 years, and they both attended the event.
Cpl. James Barnett has served for 17 years and is a supervisor and investigator for the detachment.
Shortland said they have an effective team that works well together, and they go above and beyond the call of duty and are always on hand to help.
They say they all want a safe community with safe homes, and to reduce crime in the towns and surrounding areas, and this can be achieved if everyone stays aware.
