RCMP detachment in Coaldale up and running

COALDALE, Alta.- The Lethbridge Regional Police Service is out, and the RCMP are in, as Mounties have officially taken over policing the Town of Coaldale.

The detachment is being run by Staff Sgt. Glenn Henry, who says things are going well.

“New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day — the transition went fantastic. The LRPS folks were out here til midnight, we were out here with them…a great working relationship and it worked really well for us.”

A temporary location at the town office will house the Coaldale RCMP officers, who will work alongside the rural Lethbridge RCMP. There are over a dozen officers between the two teams.

They will all be under one roof when a new detachment is eventually built in Coaldale, including Integrated Traffic, K-9, and Forensic Units.

“The plans are in place, a new architectural firm has been announced in Edmonton, so the firm will start the planning process for the new building,” Henry said.

Coaldale Mayor Kim Craig said so far the transition has been smooth, for both the RCMP and the town.

“I perceive it will be pretty well seamless. It will feel almost the same as it was before, with the school resource officer in place, and the various members actively involved in the community.”

When it comes to getting a hold of the RCMP, Henry said it’s business as usual.

“They can call 9-1-1 if it’s an emergency, they can come down to the temporary detachment here (1920 17 Street, Coaldale, Alta.), there’s a gray phone out front, they can pick up that phone, it will go right to our telecoms. And if they go to the Town of Coaldale website, all the phone numbers are attached there.”

And some good news: RCMP haven’t had to make any arrests since taking over on Jan. 1.