The Mounties are spending too much time responding to crimes instead of trying to prevent them, so says the PC Opposition.
But they say it’s not the RCMP’s fault.
The Tories say it’s government’s denial of more funding that has thrown RCMP, particularly in the Conception Bay North area, to the wolves.
Their critique comes amid a spike in serious crimes in the area, culminating with the arrests of three murder suspects last weekend.
PC Justice critic Helen Conway-Ottenheimer and party leader Tony Wakeham met with media yesterday to press the province for a change of heart.
Conway-Ottenheimer says officers are being prevented from preventing crimes.
“When we see that the police are only able to respond to calls—we’re hearing that they do not have the police officers to actually engage in crime prevention, and to look at things like surveillance and other kinds of covert operations,” she said.
The province allots about $90 million annually to fund the RCMP in Newfoundland and Labrador.
It’s been at that level since a $17-million increase in 2022.