The RCMP are doing their part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the NWT by wearing face masks also known as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
“We want to assure the people of the NWT that public safety remains our focus,” Superintendent Jeff Christie, NT RCMP Criminal Operations Office said. “As the police of jurisdiction in the NWT, we will continue to provide policing services and will maintain operations at our RCMP Detachments. We urge anyone with non-urgent business to access the listed RCMP administration lines in your community so that we may concentrate on urgent policing matters”.
According to an RCMP news release, “Police services remain intact. If a person requires police services call your local detachment 1111 number or 911 and NT RCMP will respond as appropriate.”
The Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Kami Kandola, confirmed the first case of COVID-19 within the NWT over the weekend and the Mounties will be taking a measured approach to the continuation of primary police services.
“The safety of our employees is also important,” Marie York-Condon, RCMP Media Relations said. “To support the direction by health authorities, our members may be attending calls for service wearing additional equipment (Personal Protective Equipment or PPE). We want to advise the public to not be alarmed should our members attend with PPE, it is for the safety of both the public and our employees.”
As an emergency response agency, York-Condon says the RCMP have protocols and procedures that deal with these types of health situations.
“We are continually assessing those processes and ensuring our response and continuity plans are updated and in place,” York-Condon said. “Working closely with local, territorial and national partners to ensure a coordinated response to the current and fluid situation.”
According to York-Condon, “Each NT RCMP Detachment Commander will closely monitor the local situation and may make the decision to reduce or cease front counter services.”
This includes the reduction of non-urgent services such as fingerprinting for background checks, which may be postponed at your local detachment.
“In many of our communities, there will be no change to our operations,” York-Condon said. “In others, you may notice changes. All of the decisions are part of a plan to support 24-7-365 police services at all of our NT RCMP Detachments.”
As always, anyone who witnesses suspicious activity is asked to contact either your local RCMP detachment at the -1111 number, 9-1-1 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, nwtnutips.com, (click on “submit a web tip”) or text: nwtnutips to 274637.
arthur.green@cklbradio.com
Twitter.com/artcgreen
