With the recent outbreak declared in Yellowknife, and the cautionary measures taken by the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer (OCPHO) in Yellowknife and Behchoko, we are providing a status update on Northwest Territories RCMP's operations.
NT RCMP continues to work closely with local, territorial and national partners to ensure a coordinated response to the current and fluid situation. These relationships have been solidified over the year of pandemic response and we remain in constant contact with our partners.
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 safety of our employees is also important. To support the direction by health authorities, our members may be attending calls for service wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Please do not be alarmed should our members attend with PPE: it is for the safety of all and such steps are in conformity with Territorial and National Health recommendations.
Since the first case in Northwest Territories was announced in March 2020, NT RCMP has taken a measured approach to the continuation of primary police services. For example, each NT RCMP Detachment Commander closely monitors the local COVID-19 situation, and may make decisions to reduce or cease front counter services based on unfolding events. Likewise, communities have seen a fluctuation in the provision of non-urgent service such as fingerprinting for background checks. At times, these have been postponed at local detachments. The decision of service levels has, and will continue to be made, by each Detachment Commander, in coordination with the NT RCMP Criminal Operations Officer.
In many of our communities, there has been little change to our operations. In others, changes were incorporated, such as the recent closure of the front counter services in Yellowknife. All of the decisions are part of a plan to support 24-7-365 police services at all of our NT RCMP Detachments.
"Public safety remains our focus. As the police of jurisdiction in the Northwest Territories, we have continued to provide policing services and maintain ongoing police operations at NT RCMP Detachments. As a first responder, we understand and acknowledge the ongoing efforts being made by our health care workers in this challenging time. Please continue to support them" - Superintendent Jeff Christie, NT RCMP Criminal Operations Officer
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, or text: nwtnutips to 274637.