An RCMP officer stands outside the Comfort Inn in January following a homicide (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

MAJOR CRIMES

Kamloops RCMP hoping lull in major crimes lasts

Jun 13, 2019 | 5:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — Illicit drug activity and organized crime has resulted in a taxing year for the Kamloops RCMP.

Multiple shootings, homicide investigations, and standoffs have all made for a balancing act for the detachment’s superintendent.

“Our staff have done a really good job trying to cope with this,” said Supt. Syd Lecky. “There is an impact with this kind of work that we do. It’s not all emergency services, but also support staff that work behind the scenes.”

In January, Kamloops RCMP were all hands on deck dealing with the aftermath of a pair of homicides. Two men were killed in organized crime-related shootings at local hotels. One of the victims, Rex Gill, is believed to have been killed in a case of mistaken identity.

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Last fall, members were busy investigating the homicide of prolific criminal Troy Gold. They also were involved in a shootout in Rose Hill that resulted in a man’s death.

In the summer, the downtown Denny’s location was the site of another standoff that pulled in many officers as well.

There has been a lull in such incidents recently and staff have received a much-needed break. But Lecky says it doesn’t mean the events are concluded.

“What isn’t told is, after you have your major police incident, that’s when the work just begins,” he said. “It’s not only the weeks but months, and sometimes years to follow, that the real hard work gets done. So yes, you do have your initial response, but I can tell you we still have teams that are working flat out. We’ve had to sacrifice vacation time and time with our families. So yeah, it’ll be going on for months to come.”

As the incidents kept piling up, there was concern over officers’ mental health. But a slight reprieve and stable staffing levels have improved the detachment’s overall well-being.

“Our staffing numbers are probably among the best in the province,” said Lecky. “We’re currently operating at 130 of 136 funded positions.”

The City of Kamloops has worked to build up the numbers in the last few years. The bump in members will be felt in the city this summer.

“You’ll notice this summer with the quad patrol, the bike patrol, the foot patrol,” said deputy mayor Bill Sarai. “They’ll be out at special events in the city, so there will be more presence of the RCMP, which is a good thing for everybody.”

Meantime, local members are hoping it remains relatively quiet into the summer months when criminal activity typically spikes.