Policing services gets helping hand from officers across Canada

RCMP photo

EAST HANTS/COLCHESTER CO.: Since the devastating incidents of April 18 and 19, Nova Scotia RCMP welcomed 92 officers from across the country who have provided front line policing services in communities in and around Colchester County and East Hants.

In East Hants, The Laker News did a impromptu story upon finding out that there were regular officiers from the Enfield detachment off on wellness treatments, and their shifts were being covered by police from across the country, including the Ottawa region.

Our story, which came about from going to the detachment on another matter but piqued our interest when we learned of this thinking our readers would be interested, can be found here:

“RCMP members from all areas across Canada quickly came forward to help our division and Nova Scotians,” says Insp. Don Moser, Assistant Support Services Officer with the Nova Scotia RCMP. “As a national police force, we drew upon additional resources so that we could focus on Operation H-Strong and continue providing quality police services across the province.”

The fifth group of relief officers will bid their farewell to Nova Scotia and to “H” Division on July 27.

Since they arrived almost a month ago, officers have been on the road in Cumberland County, Bible Hill, Millbrook and Enfield ensuring public and community safety.

A couple of those officers from “O” Division (Ontario) had this to say:

“People have been supportive in many ways since arriving after the tragedy, some to thank you and say hello and also to reflect on what occurred,” says Cst. Kwame Amoateng. “The experience has truly put into perspective the risk we take each time we put on the uniform. I am honoured to have worked here.”

“This has been a valuable opportunity to increase my experience with rural policing,” says Cst. Prince Opoku. “I prepared for the unknown and put the skills we learn at RCMP Depot to use here in rural Nova Scotia.”

By having the backfill officers come in when their services were needed is a vital piece to keeping operations going smoothly.

“It allows us to continue to provide Nova Scotians with quality police service 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said the release from N.S. RCMP.