RCMP ASK FOR MORE OFFICERS

Local speed demons and drug dealers will feel the added pressure of more
cops on their tails if a recent proposal to bolster the Fort McMurray
detachment's numbers is approved by Wood Buffalo council.

The protective services standing committee has cleared the request to ask
the municipality's elected officials to increase the municipal ranks from 52
officers to 54 in 2001 at a cost of $160,000.

"Traffic and drugs are two areas that require attention and we need to beef
up our resources on those two areas," Insp. Paul McLennan, who runs the
detachment, told Today.

The drug trade seems to be prospering in the oilsands city over the past
year with a rash of high profile drug-related crimes in the city.

"It's well known to us people who need money to feed a drug habit become
involved in break-ins, theft, and those kinds of things," McLennan said.

In particular, cocaine and crack have become a serious problem with three
robberies in the last year being done to feed an addiction to the illicit
substance. Adding members would bring the number of drug officers to three.
The added traffic officer is necessary with a growing population and
subsequent rise in vehicular traffic, the inspector said.

"The proportion of the members that we have working on the size of the
detachment is relatively small compared to most places," said McLennan. "I
just don't feel we can take resources from the watches to bolster that
because they're busy enough already."

The municipality approved the addition of six Mounties for general policing
duties in 1997.

The detachment expects to be busy in upcoming years. But officials are
confident they can cope with the help of mobile data terminals that are
being installed in their cruisers in the next few months.

"We believe with that efficiency coming on line, we will be in good shape in
response to calls on the watches," said McLennan.

He's optimistic the councillors will approve the $80,000 price tag for each
officer that includes benefits and equipment.

"The municipality has certainly been very responsive to my requests for
resources after I was able to provide a good business case for them and
there was sufficient money in the budget to accommodate me."

The solicitor general will also have to approve the allocation with Ottawa
paying 10 per cent of the cost.

"The reality is when the municipality requests it, they provide it,"
McLennan said.

The detachment is currently six members short due to medical issues and the
transfer cycle, said McLennan. He also noted the municipality only pays for
the filled positions.

Help should come to fill the gaps with the national police force is
galloping along in training new recruits with 1,200 expected for this year.

"We're optimistic by the time we get around to 2001, which is when these
positions come into effect, we'll be in a better position to ensure that
they are filled," McLennan said.