Crowsnest Pass RCMP outlines local priorities

Crowsnest Pass RCMP reported fewer motor vehicle collisions in the first quarter of 2026 while continuing to work through staffing pressures at the local detachment.

Sgt. Mark Amatto and Chris McKerracher presented the Community Policing Quarterly Report to Crowsnest Pass council during the May 26 meeting. The report covered the period from January 1 to March 31 and outlined five local policing priorities.

Those priorities were enhanced road safety and aggressive driving, crime reduction and property theft, changing culture and transformation around violence in relationships, enhanced OHV, ATV and snowmobile compliance and safety and police and community relations through visibility.

The report also highlighted an RCMP wide equipment update. Council was told the RCMP has awarded a contract for a new modernized general duty service pistol, the Glock 45 MOS 7 Duty Pistol. A mandatory four day training program for frontline officers is expected to begin in late summer and fall, with full deployment anticipated by summer 2028.

On road safety, Amatto said Crowsnest Pass RCMP handled 55 motor vehicle collisions during the quarter, down from 82 in the previous quarter. Two were non-fatal injury collisions and no fatal collisions were reported.

Police issued 51 tickets and 15 warnings to drivers or registered owners. The report said traffic enforcement targets were not met, in part because of limited staffing resources caused by transfers and maternity and paternity leaves.

For property crime, the detachment handled 24 theft related calls for service during the reporting period. Five were determined to be unfounded. The total number of theft related occurrences for the year was 70, compared with 99 in the previous year.

Domestic violence remained a priority. Amatto said 146 occurrences were recorded after enhanced measures were undertaken to encourage victims to report abuse. He said 2026 and 2027 will be used as a comparison year now that a baseline has been established.

On OHV, ATV and snowmobile enforcement, the report said weather played a role in how many backcountry patrols were completed. Members conducted enforcement along Highway 40 and near staging areas, with overall compliance described as high. Areas with lower compliance were flagged for further enforcement this summer.

Police also completed school zone patrols around Isabelle Sellon School, Crowsnest Consolidated High School and Horace Allen School, along with patrols in Lundbreck. The detachment completed 20 foot patrols during the quarter, bringing the annual total to 106.

Staffing was a central part of the report. The detachment has nine established regular member positions. At the time of the report, six were working, one member was temporarily off duty and two positions were hard vacancies. Council was told the detachment is working toward returning to the full nine established positions.

The detachment also has three support positions. Two were working at the time of the report and the remaining vacancy has since been filled.

Amatto said the transfers have helped improve staffing.

“The good news is, our transfers have happened,” he said.

McKerracher also reviewed crime statistics for the quarter. Total Criminal Code offences increased, while provincial statute files, municipal files and drug enforcement files were down.

Councillor Dean Ward said he had noticed more police visibility along Highway 3 in recent weeks.

“I think that’s a really good thing. Thank you,” said Ward.

Council thanked the RCMP for the report and their service to the community.