The North Vancouver RCMP has set a limit of 20 transfers this year to answer the concern that high turnover at the detachment is affecting its ability to police the community.

The criticism arose recently with the publication of the long awaited North Shore Police Services Review that found 82 per cent, or 47 out of 57, of the detachment’s watch constables — officers who conduct general duties — have less than three years experience.

In West Vancouver, the percentage is lower with 69 per cent of its team constables with less than three years on the job.

The review found that frequent transfers, and the large cadre of junior officers, has created “an environment where it is difficult to establish effective relationships and partnerships within the community.”

It’s something that concerns District of North Vancouver Coun. Doug MacKay-Dunn, who argues the RCMP are dropping the ball when it comes to community policing.

“The issue is the turnover,” MacKay-Dunn said. “What the (police review) consultant is referring to is that as these individuals come into the North Vancouver detachment as cadets ... once they reach a certain level then they move on to other areas or other detachments.

“So what happens is it can be argued the detachment becomes more of a training centre and you lose the opportunity for them to engage with the community.”

Speaking with The Outlook, Supt. Tonia Enger, the Officer in Charge of the North Vancouver detachment, said the large number of junior officers is caused by the “demographics of policing across the country.”

Since 2007, there has been a large demand for recruits, Enger said, and as new officers come in, experienced officers have to be moved up so the junior ones can gain experience on the front lines.

“I think every police service has been dealing with that,” Enger said. “It’s the front line where they have to be trained.”

She added she expects that influx of cadets will slow down by next year.

As a federal force, Enger said officers can be transfered and promotions can often mean a departure from the detachment.

But Enger said they’ve set a maximum of 20 transfers to keep the number in check this year.

Not included in that number, she said, are promotions out of the detachment. But in those cases Enger said she expects to receive an officer of similar rank and years of experience, even if the officer is from outside the community.

Over in West Vancouver, recently sworn in Chief Constable Peter Lepine acknowledged that West Van has been able to retain more officers because the department is a municipal force.

“People who join a municipal department... do so with the desire to stay in one location,” Lepine said. “Unlike the RCMP we’re not subject to transfers or promotional opportunities that would take us away from our specific physical location.”

While MacKay-Dunn believes the junior officers lack the connections and desire to focus on community policing, “essentially, they want more action,” Enger believes there’s an upside to having a steady stream of cadets come in.

“Their enthusiasm is tremendous, you have to harness that and put them out there,” she said.

While Enger was unable to provide numbers on how many cadets she will receive this year from the RCMP training depot in Regina, the RCMP E-Division, which oversees the RCMP in B.C., has estimated it will receive 600 new cadets this year.

Supt. Glen Seigersma, the Officer in Charge of Pacific Region, Development and Resource Section, also said 206 officers will leave the force, the majority by retirement, and up to 130 officers will leave to pursue opportunities outside of the province.

Within the Lower Mainland, Seigersma said up to 350 officers are expected to move between jobs this year.

dpi@northshoreoutlook.com