THE TERRACE RCMP detachment has re-organized its officers for the summer months.
It’s taken what was a stand-alone group of officers, formally called the Crime Reduction Unit and also known as the street crew, and blended the officers in with the detachment’s normal shifts or watches.
The street crew was formed several years ago in response to a problem of growing intoxication and general disorderly conduct in the downtown core.
It means watch officers will now have the added responsibility of foot patrols and use of the street crew’s familiar white van which can be seen on the city’s streets most days.
The move will also allow new officers to the detachment to get to know the city quicker, said Inspector Dana Hart, who is in charge of the detachment.
“That’s where they are as opposed to having a separate unit,” said Hart.
“It gives all of our officers the opportunity to be out there doing different roles.”
Hart said the number of people doing the street patrols will actually increase as everyone on the watch will be responsible for doing foot patrols.
The watches typically have a corporal in charge and four constables, but the addition of street crew officers will augment that number, said Hart.
The result is a lot more flexibility for the watch commander, who can assign two officers to do the downtown patrols and it could be any two officers in the watch, he continued.
If needed, officers could also be moved to a general investigation position, such as being in plainclothes if needed, said Hart.