DIDSBURY - The RCMP Regional Police Crisis Team (RPACT) will start operating in southern Alberta on March 7, says the Didsbury RCMP detachment commander.
“The initial two-person team, which includes a police officer and a registered psychiatric nurse, will be based out of the Cochrane RCMP detachment,” said Staff Sgt. Stephen Browne.
The team will be providing service to detachments across the region, including Olds, Didsbury, Cochrane, Airdrie and Three Hills.
“Didsbury (RCMP) members will have direct access to the team for the purpose of obtaining assistance with mental health-related calls for service,” he said. “RPACT may be able to conduct the mental status exam themselves, or provide consultation with a mental health clinician.”
During a recent council meeting, Town of Didsbury Mayor Rhonda Hunter called the initiative a good move for the community.
“It’s a tremendous help,” said Browne. “I look forward to seeing it.”
Meanwhile, starting in the spring of 2022, a number of body-worn cameras will be piloted in RCMP locations across the province, with a province-wide rollout of the cameras expected to follow in 2023.
“The pilot will allow us to see how the system performs and make adjustments to ensure it meets our needs before the full rollout,” he said.
“The inclusion of body-worn cameras on our front-line members support our long-standing commitment towards enhancing public safety and trust with the communities we serve by increasing the transparency of police interactions with citizens,” he said.
