Supt. Jeff Pelley reports to Kamloops Council, Feb. 24. (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

RCMP STAFFING

Kamloops Supt. Pelley will be looking for 10 new RCMP officers in 2027 after council deferral

Feb 24, 2026 | 4:10 PM

KAMLOOPS — Earlier this month, Kamloops city council voted to defer the hiring of five new RCMP officers for the Kamloops detachment. 2026 was year four of a five-year plan to expand the detachment by a total of 25 Mounties. The decision to defer the officers allowed the projected budget tax increase to shrink by approximately 1 per cent.

“Well, we put a strategic plan forward back in 2022 with the compliment of five members for five years,” explained RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley. “We are heading into year four and there has been a deferral but not a denial of those members. We are going to continue to realign our strategic priorities with respect to the direction that we want to go.”

Over the past three years, the 15 new positions have helped Supt. Pelley staff important units within the detachment.

“We have been very progressing in enhancing several of our units. First off, over the last five years our frontline officers on multiple watches. Our Crime Reduction Unit, last year our Serious Crime Unit and our Targeted Enforcement Unit. We have clearly demonstrated that there is a need,” said Pelley.

Question of the Week

Do you believe the Blazers are primed to go on a long playoff run?

Mar 23, 2026

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: March 23, 2026

Mar 23, 2026

1000 Ways To Heal

1000 WAYS TO HEAL: The Front Lawn - A story we inherited

Mar 23, 2026

While the move may have saved this current council on their budget, next year’s council will be in line for a potential two per cent tax hike with Pelley looking for all 10 officers in the 2027 budget.

“I was a strong proponent in advocating for why we needed these five members, it was year four of the five year strategic plan that I would forward that was deferred,” said Pelley. “My position would be to continue to seek those five members in addition to next year’s five members.”