COLD LAKE - National Police Week (May 11–17) is a time to recognize the work of law enforcement across the country, and while the Cold Lake RCMP aren't marking the week with public events this year, the detachment remains focused on serving the community amid ongoing budget challenges.
“I don’t think we’re doing anything,” said Sgt. Patrick Russell, who oversees operations support for the Cold Lake detachment.
“We did last year. This year not so much because quite frankly when we did a barbecue, we have a hospitality request that allows us to prove funding for that sort of thing, and right now our division's running a deficit. So, they haven't really approved any sort of non-discretionary spending on stuff like that.”
Despite the quiet week, Russell emphasized that National Police Week still carries meaning for those in uniform. “Although it is really good to recognize the good work that police forces and police officers do on a regular basis… we're not out there necessarily looking for that kind of recognition,” he said. “We just do our jobs, and we carry on status quo.”
Russell noted that Cold Lake RCMP remains busy year-round dealing with a high volume of calls, particularly those tied to social issues like homelessness and petty crime. “Those calls take up a lot of our resources that again, we're using the police to essentially deal with more of a social issue,” he said.
Although internal morale remains high, thanks in part to a new four-watch rotation system that gives officers more rest, external challenges persist. “We're constantly dealing with the same people… mischief, theft, cause disturbance, just general vagrancy,” Russell explained. He also pointed to systemic issues like “catch and release” practices in the court system as ongoing frustrations.
As for the future, Cold Lake residents can expect a significant community engagement event on July 24 at the exhibition park, when the RCMP Musical Ride comes to town. “They're like the Snowbirds for the RCMP,” said Russell. “We're going to be there to fly the flag and participate as best we can. It will be a great family event for the kids… it kind of goes towards that same spirit of trying to show to our youth that we are the people to come to when you need help.”
That focus on children is central to how the Cold Lake RCMP view community outreach. “These types of events… are really geared towards the kids so that they build some sort of trust in the police,” Russell said. “To me, that’s what Police Week is about.”
