BONNYVILLE – In the wake of the May 3 attack on the Bonnyville RCMP detachment, where a trackhoe was used to destroy five RCMP vehicles, hateful social media commentary about the RCMP was posted.
Bonnyville RCMP S/Sgt. Sarah Parke addressed the negative comments last week calling them disheartening, though she said that the outpouring of support from the community far outshines the hateful comments.
“While the negative comments on social media following the incident are a tough pill to swallow, they’ve been outshadowed by tons of positive comments supporting the members of the Bonnyville Detachment. We’ve received messages from so many community members and businesses who reached out to us to let us know how much they appreciate, respect and support the members of the Bonnyville Detachment,” said Parke.
Parke said elected officials from the Town and MD of Bonnyville have shared their appreciation too.
Lakeland Today contacted local officials to get their reaction to the attack.
Bonnyville – Cold Lake – St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr believes the attack was “deeply disturbing,” and not a random act of vandalism.
“[I]t was deliberate, targeted, and dangerous. To see our RCMP vehicles destroyed, and the safety of our detachment threatened was shocking. What made matters worse were the hateful online comments that followed. Some individuals went so far as to celebrate the attack or suggest violence against our officers. That rhetoric is completely unacceptable and goes against the values of our community,” said Cyr.
Cyr also commented on the support he has witnessed from citizens towards the RCMP.
“Many residents are understandably angry about what happened, but they are also grateful for the rapid, professional, and courageous response by our officers . . . I’ve also had many constituents reach out asking how they can show their appreciation to the officers, and I think that speaks volumes about the values of our region,” said Cyr.
Bonnyville Mayor Elisa Brosseau said the hateful comments online do not reflect the values of the town and community, and that the town council promotes respectful dialogue.
“The RCMP play a critical role in maintaining public safety and supporting our communities every day, and we stand behind our local RCMP detachment,” said Brosseau.
Ben Berlinguette, Chief Administrative Officer for the MD of Bonnyville, mirrored Brosseau’s sentiments, saying that the MD of Bonnyville supports the RCMP, and their sentiments go out to them.
“These dedicated individuals put themselves at risk every day to protect our community, and they deserve not only our gratitude but our compassion. The hateful comments circulating online are unacceptable and do not reflect the values of the M.D. of Bonnyville. We stand firmly with the RCMP and thank them for their courage and continued service,” said Berlinguette.
MD of Bonnyville Coun. Mike Krywiak is on the police committee, and said his heart goes out to the RCMP for “this senseless attack.”
“They’re protecting us all the time and putting their lives at risk. I’m sorry to hear of all these negative comments online, but I'm happy that the majority of people support the RCMP,” said Krywiak.
Krywiak added that taxpayers will be the ones paying for the destruction caused by the attack.
“Those people who make those kinds of comments, hopefully they'll never need the RCMP to help them,” said Krywiak.
Cyr said he is a firm believer in free speech, even if it’s ugly, mean-spirited, or offensive but there is a point where it crosses the line.
“People have the right to say things to me or about me that I may find distasteful or disagreeable. But that right ends where incitement to violence begins. There is no excuse for encouraging harm against law enforcement or anyone else. While I support open discourse—even harsh criticism—we need to draw a clear line when it comes to threats or calls to violence,” said Cyr.
Cyr said the attack on the RCMP has sparked discussion and concern around understanding what led to such a brazen attack, but that the dominant response that Cyr has heard has been a wave of pride and support for the RCMP.
Parke said RCMP do not believe the man accused in the incident had intentions of going after the public and assured that the RCMP is dedicated to "restoring and maintaining safety and security within our community of Bonnyville.”
Mental health strain
Parke spoke to the resilience of the Bonnyville RCMP, and assured Lakeland Today that they can more than handle the heat of the online comments. Though, it does shed light on the mental and emotional strain that RCMP officers face.
Cyr also spoke to the mental health strain that first responders experience and reflected on what he had learned during a meeting with Dan Williams, Alberta’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and RCMP division leadership and members from across the northeast.
“What came out of that meeting was a candid and eye-opening conversation. Our officers expressed how the mental strain of their work has been amplified—not only by the traumatic situations they routinely face, but by the pressure of dealing with a growing number of social and medical issues that, frankly, they were never meant to handle alone,” said Cyr.
“They witness violence, tragedy, and loss on a near-daily basis. Add to that the stress of shift work, public criticism, and the internal culture that often discourages asking for help, and the risk of burnout, depression, anxiety, and PTSD becomes very real,” said Cyr.
The MLA said supporting the mental health of first responders is essential to the long-term health of the community, and the stability of public safety. Cyr highlighted the value in investing in programs such as the Supporting Psychological Health in First Responders program.
“When we invest in the mental health of our RCMP and other first responders, we’re not just helping individuals—we’re protecting the resilience and capability of the very institutions that keep our communities safe. We owe it to these men and women to ensure they’re not only equipped to serve—but also supported, respected, and cared for,” said Cyr.
David Merko, 62, of Bonnyville was arrested and faces 13 criminal code charges in connection with the May 3 incident. Included in the list is a count of uttering threats stemming from an April 17 incident in which it is alleged Merko called the dispatch centre in Saskatchewan and uttered threats to kill RCMP officers.
